Malta to allow gay couples to adopt with new law
VALLETTA - Malta's Parliament has passed a law allowing civil unions that gives gay couples the same rights as married people, including the possibility to adopt children.
All ruling Socialist Party lawmakers voted for approval Monday night. Nationalist opposition lawmakers abstained, declaring they back civil unions but have reservations on gay adoptions.
Maltese gays already could adopt children as individuals, but the new law now enables them to also adopt as couples.
A prominent bishop, Charles Scicluna, formerly a top official at the Vatican, contended that although the legislation had valid points, it doesn't provide for children's best interests. (AP)
