Two former nuns entered a civil union
this week in Italy.
Named Federica and Isabel by local
media, the women's civil ceremony was officiated by Pinerolo Mayor
Luca Salvai, The
Telegraph
reported.
Italy legalized such unions earlier
this year.
“God wants happy people who live love
out in the open,” Isabel told La Stampa. “We are asking
our church to welcome all people who love each other.”
The women moved up their ceremony by a
day to avoid mass media coverage after they gave an interview to La
Stampa.
The women said that while they were
leaving their convent they were not leaving their faith.
A second religious service will be held
for the women in a few weeks. It will be performed by Franco
Barbero, a former priest. Pope John Paul II excommunicated Barbero
in 2003 for his acceptance of same-sex relationships, including
marriage.