Dependent relationshps.

Dublin -- Archbishop Diarmud Martin clarified remarks he made regarding the rights of people in dependent relationships. These were reported in the context of a lesbian couple's pursuit for legal recognition of their Canadian "marriage." Many interpreted his remarks--that the rights of people in dependent relationships need to be protected--as supportive of rights for homosexual couples.

A release from the Communications office for the Archdiocese, however, indicated the archbishop was in fact suggesting that the entitlements of "gay" men and women should be considered "in the context of various other non-marital caring relationships where dependencies emerge." The release added that "nothing in Archbishop Martin's actual comments supports the claims that he was advocating 'spousal rights' for 'gay' persons, much less marriage or civil unions."

The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference is expected to issue a statement regarding homosexual unions to the Irish Parliament some time in January.