News: Vatican opposes UN gays, disabled rights bill.

Following the Vatican's controversial opposition to a UN declaration calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals, the Vatican envoy to the UN, confirmed that the Holy See also refused to sign off on the rights of the disabled. They claim it did not condemn abortion or assert the rights of foetuses with birth defects.

The Vatican made its position clear today, marking the UN's International Day of Disabled People.

The Pope's spokesman, said the Vatican's position was "already widely known": they support the rights of the disabled, but could not accept a clause in the UN declaration affirming a right to "sexual health and reproduction" because "in some countries such rights include the right to abortion". (Full)

Picture courtesy Time