No dilution of same-sex marriage plans: Chrétien | Globe and Mail

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No dilution of same-sex marriage plans: Chrétien

By OLIVER MOORE
Globe and Mail Update

The federal government will not water down legislation allowing same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien insisted Tuesday, admitting that he is praying for his soul but has to act on behalf of all Canadians.

"We want to legalize the union of homosexuals," he said after a meeting of his cabinet, which has shown signs of the dissent reflected in the wider Liberal caucus.

He said that he has heard accusations from Roman Catholic leaders that he risks eternal damnation but feels that the division between church and state is necessary and that he must act in the best interests of all Canadians, not just his fellow Catholics.

"I've been attacked by many people in my life — it will not be the first time," he said. "I'm a Catholic, and I'm praying. But I am the Prime Minister of Canada. When I'm Prime Minister of Canada, I'm acting as the person responsible for the nation, and the problem of my religion I deal with."

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