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BOSTON, October 24, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of Worcester created a stir yesterday as he spoke on behalf of the state’s four Roman Catholic bishops giving testimony before a State committee examining the question of homosexual ‘marriage’.  While he did state the Church’s opposition to homosexual ‘marriage’ or ‘civil unions’ he suggested an openness to homosexual benefits.  Reading from a prepared text Bishop Reilly said, “If a bill alters marriage’s definition or changes the meaning of spouse, we cannot support it. If the goal is to look at individual benefits and determine who should be eligible beyond spouses, then we will join the discussion.”  The Boston Globe reports that after the hearing, Reilly appeared to go beyond his scripted testimony in an interview with reporters. “There should be a way for the state to provide the benefits they have a right to like other citizens,” he said. “But just to put the title of marriage on it, I think that’s the wrong way to go.”  The controversy arises since Catholic teaching forbids societal benefits to homosexual couples that would mirror those given to married couples.  A recent Vatican document on “Catholics in Political Life” teaches, “in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such.”  See the Globe coverage and the Vatican document:  https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2003/10/24/church_open_to_same_sex_benefits_talk/  https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20021124_politica_en.html   See related LifeSite coverage:  Catholic Group Wonders “Why the Compromise on Homosexual Civil Unions?”  https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/sep/03090801.html General Secretary of Canadian Bishops Conference Minimizes New Vatican Doc https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/aug/03080101.html QUEBEC BISHOPS CONTRADICT CHURCH TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTION https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/mar/020307.html