BOLZANO/BOZEN — «I am surprised and happy». Waldermar Kerschbaumer, president of the Arcigay association "Centaurus" enthusiastically welcomes the openness of diocesan bishop Karl Golser on homosexual couples in the interview with the magazine «Jesus».
Golser had said that "there is a difference between a male-female union, from which children are born, and a relationship between people of the same sex, who will certainly need some legal protection, but which cannot be defined as marriage. I am thinking of a type of individual protection regarding inheritance, visiting the sick, the house».
Kerschbaumer, many say they are pleasantly surprised by Golser's words.
«"Me too, although in a certain sense I was prepared. I had already heard Karl Golser say these things a couple of years ago, and I'm happy he did so again now as bishop.".
On what occasion was it?
«I was invited to a debate on Rai Sender Bozen after I announced my desire to marry my partner. When they told me there would also be a priest, I wasn't very happy, but I was wrong. With him were SVPs Oskar Peterlini and Julia Unterberger, as well as Hans Heiss of the Greens. That was when Golser said those very interesting things. I remember he was much more open than Peterlini. There was no comparison at all.
So he thinks it's important that he was chosen as bishop.
«In a certain sense, yes. In Rome, they knew who they were electing. But let's also say that as soon as Golser became bishop, he gave an interview to the weekly Ff. On that occasion, he was asked about his statements to Sender Bozen, and he answered very evasively. The journalist pointed out that Bishop Golser couldn't repeat what the "theologian" Golser had said. I remember being disappointed after reading that interview and thinking that he, too, was bowing to the Roman silence. Evidently, he changed his mind. I'm glad he did so immediately.
What does this evolution make you think?
«"That this thinking has reached a slightly higher level, and that's a positive thing. It often happens in Italy that low-ranking people make decisions that move society forward. Politicians usually put a lot more pressure on it.".
Will this protection that Golser talks about become reality one day?
«"I really hope so. During that broadcast on Sender Bozen, I reminded Golser that in South Africa, gay couples have been able to marry and adopt children for years. As I asked him, I ask again now: which is the Third World, that or Italy?".
