BUENOS AIRES — In a letter read Sunday in sacrament meetings throughout Argentina, the LDS Church reaffirmed its doctrine of marriage being between a man and a woman.
Argentina's senate will be debating same-sex union legislation this week and a proposed bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt. The latter is scheduled for a vote this week.
In a single-paragraph letter dated July 6 and read Sunday to Argentine congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church's First Presidency said the doctrine is "absolutely clear: that marriage is between a man and a woman and is ordained of God."
Signed by LDS President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, Presidents Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the letter said it was responding to concerns raised by proposed legislation that would change the definition of marriage in the South American nation.
The First Presidency encouraged LDS families to review the church document "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to more fully understand the LDS doctrine on marriage.
Four cities in Argentina — including the capital, Buenos Aires — allow civil unions, which provide some of the rights afforded married couples. Last year, the nation's government allowed individuals of same-sex couples who were together at least five years the right to collect pensions of a deceased partner.
Argentina's senate has been considering legislative proposals on same-sex unions for the past month.
A bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt passed by a narrow margin last May in the Chamber of Deputies, the country's parliament and lower house of its National Congress.
But the Senate's general law committee earlier this month recommended rejection of the bill.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill Wednesday. Argentina President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said she would not block the bill if approved.
The LDS Church has taken no official position on the legislation being considered.
Several same-sex marriages have been performed in Argentina in the past year, with their legality being bounced around in the courts. The country's supreme court is currently considering several cases regarding same-sex marriage rights.
The only Latin America area allowing same-sex marriage is Mexico City's Federal District, which includes Mexico City.
This story was reported from Salt Lake City.
e-mail: taylor@desnews.com