Mark Hannaby The Politics Show Wales

Click here to view Politics Show Wales

Civil Partnerships bestow rights on Gay couples

One of Wales' most senior churchmen has warned that Civil Partnerships between Gay people will undermine the institution of Marriage.

On 5 December 2005, the Civil Partnership Act will come into effect, allowing Gay and Lesbian couples to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities in law as married heterosexual couples.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Most Rev Peter Smith has warned that the new law will have negative consequences for Marriage in general.

Archbishop Smith said: "What the Government should do in terms of public policy is support Marriage rather than undermine it.

"To put beside Marriage an alternative or what appears to be a perfectly approved legal alternative lifestyle I think does not help the institution of Marriage at all."

Amongst the rights Civil Partners will enjoy are the right to inherit a partner's estate, pension rights and parental responsibility for each other's children.

Equality Minister Jane Hutt AM said: "It is about the social policy benefits, social justice issues in the 21st century.

"And I think it will be widely welcomed."

Gay rights organisation Stonewall Cymru particularly welcomes the legal protection the new law offers to gay people in the event of a partner's death.

Stonewall Cymru's Director, Dr Alison Parken said: "Up until now, some same sex couples, if a partner dies, they haven't had the right to claim the body and take care of the funeral arrangements.

"They have not been able to pass over survivor benefits either from the state pension or occupational pension so there's a poverty issue there for a surviving partner."

In contrast to Archbishop Smith's view, the Anglican Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Barry Morgan says he has "absolutely no objections" to the new law.

Archbishop Morgan said people should bear in mind the Government's assurance that such partnerships aren't marriages and don't necessarily indicate a sexual relationship between the partners.

He said: "The Church in Wales has said that obviously this is a matter of law, therefore it has no objections to it.

"And it wouldn't wish to prevent any member of the Church in Wales, lay or cleric, from actually entering into an act of Civil Partnership, given what the Government has said about it."

On 5 December 2005 Alys Henley-Einion and her partner Josie will become one of the first lesbian couples in Wales to give a registrar official notice of their intention to form a civil partnership.

On 21 December 2005, the earliest day possible, they will confirm their commitment to each other by entering that partnership.

The couple are in no doubt of the significance of the new law.

Alys Henley-Einion said:" It is huge. It changes everything. It definitely changes the way we are viewed by society and by other people.

"It legitimises our relationship in the eyes of society."

Adrian Masters

The Politics Show

The Politics Show Wales wants your views. Let us know what you think.

If you want to have your say, you can call 0845 300 90 10, or e-mail via the website.

... Or write to: The Politics Show, Room 1060, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff. CF5 2YO

The Politics Show - we aim to get closer to your community with our presenter, Adrian Masters.

Tune in to BBC One on Sunday 11 December 2005 at Noon.

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.