Pope Benedict has called on Christians to defend traditional heterosexual marriage and to oppose moves towards legislation that would recognise same-sex relationships.
In an address to the Ponitifical Council for the Family, he said heterosexual marriage was a 'pillar of humanity'.
He said the rights extended to married couples should not be granted to same-sex couples through civil unions.
Here, the Minister for Justice has been sounding out public opinion on plans to give partnerships and relationships outside of marriage legal recognition whether they be hetero- or homosexual.
