Statement by the Cana Movement on the Civil Unions Bill

The Cana Movement which, for years, has been offering its services to strengthen families, has considered the Draft Bill on Civil Unions proposed by Government and firmly believes in the following principles.

1.         Any debate in respect of the regulation of personal relationships, including civil unions, should be conducted with utmost respect for the dignity of every person, regardless of sexual orientation or life preferences.

2.         The Objects and Reasons of the draft Bill state that “The underlying principle of this Act is to equate civil unions with marriage in terms of procedure and substance ……” In substance, the Bill proposes gay marriage in a comprehensive manner other than in name. Members of Parliament are duty bound to regulate the rights and obligations of persons who choose to cohabit, partner in a civil union or marry but different forms of relationships cannot be equated. Equality should not be invoked as a pretext to redefine marriage and eliminate diversity. Laws which distinguish between different realities are not discriminatory. In a society which celebrates pluralism, what is needed is fairness which respects diversity and not pseudo equality which destroys differentiation.

3.         The Draft Bill refers to adoption by same sex parents, a sensitive subject matter, which impacts on the child’s best interest. It is noteworthy to highlight that there is no such thing as a fundamental right of parents to bear, bring up or adopt children. Children, on the other hand, do have a fundamental right to family life. The institute of adoption is not intended to address or satisfy the wishes of adoptive parents, be they homosexual or heterosexual, but to safeguard the best interest of the child. That principle should remain paramount.

4.         The Cana Movement would like to appeal to politicians to continue introducing measures to strengthen families, whilst auguring a constructive debate, which should seek consensus on the regulation of different forms of relationships. In the process, legislators should not exceed their electoral mandate, they should seek to enact a just law, which treats all persons with dignity and promotes the good of society. 

5.         The Cana Movement will continue to provide its services to strengthen marriages and families, in the firm belief that lifelong marriage, between one man and one woman, produces strong families, and strong families strengthen society.