For completeness' sake, with regard to the editorial of December 10, let me add that on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, the EU is presenting a declaration that it hopes will be endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The declaration, among other points, calls for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in more than 85 countries around the world, eight of which still also apply the death penalty to homosexuals.

At least 4,000 people have been given the death penalty for homosexuality in Iran alone. All EU states (including Malta) have signed this declaration - in most of these countries, homosexuality was decriminalised decades ago. It is incredible how the Vatican will oppose this declaration, since according to its UN envoy, this will discriminate against those states that do not recognise same-sex unions. The wording of the declaration, however, makes absolutely no mention of same-sex unions; it simply calls for the removal of legal penalties, including jailing and the death penalty for homosexuality.

In other words, the Vatican would rather have homosexuals punished in more than 85 countries around the world, than have their relationships recognised. Talk about discrimination!