By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, LifeSiteNews Latin America correspondent
MEXICO CITY, March 30, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Mexican legal expert is calling for conscientious objector status for public employees who do not wish to cooperate with Mexico City's new regime of homosexual “marriage.”
Alberto Patiño Reyes, who holds a PhD in law, says that the Mexican juridical system “lacks an express recognition of the right of conscientious objection, which is a manifestation of a broader fundamental right, liberty of conscience.”
Pointing out that the Mexican government has signed the San Jose Covenant, which recognizes “the right of the person to liberty of conscience and religion,” Patiño Reyes opines that such a right should apply to any employee of the Mexican government who wishes to opt out of participation in homosexual “marriage.”
“The recognition of conscientious objection for the celebration of matrimony for people of the same sex, would entail the possibility of substitution for the objector in the fulfillment of his functions, leaving intact his liberty of conscience,” he writes.
“It is necessary to protect the officials of the Civil Registry, when the government becomes increasingly interventionist, legislating on issues with strong ethical content,” he adds. “In this case intending to equalize homosexual unions with the marriage of a man and a woman, under the pretext of equal rights, as well as an erroneous concept of the same, in a framework of moral relativism that is summarized in the maxim 'if you like it, do it.'”
“Legislation like this brings about the immediate result of imposing on the citizens an important moral contribution, with the consequent violation of their personal convictions.”
Mexico City's government, which is dominated by the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, legislated the creation of homosexual “marriage” and adoption of children in December of last year, sparking expressions of outrage. A recent poll carried out by the conservative National Action Party found that a majority of Mexico City residents oppose the law
The federal government of Mexico, along with two state governors, are currently suing Mexico City over the law, contending that it is unconstitutional.
Previous LifeSiteNews coverage:
First Homosexual 'Marriages' Formalized in Mexico City
Mexican Supreme Court Rejects Lawsuits against Capital's Gay 'Marriage' Law
State Governors Sue Mexico City to Stop Gay “Marriage” and Homosexual Adoption
Mexican Attorney General's Office Files Suit against “Homosexual Marriage”
Mexico City Approves “Homosexual Marriage” and Adoption