Rocco Buttiglione Quotations

I support non-discrimination for homosexuals, but I think, or at least I have the right to think - without saying whether I think it or not - I have the right to think, along with the catechism of the Catholic Church, that homosexuality is morally wrong.

Relativism should be confronted where it damages fundamental human rights, because we're not relativists if we believe that the human being should be at the centre of society and the rights of every human being should be respected.

The new soft totalitarianism that is advancing on the left wants to have a state religion. It is an atheist, nihilistic religion - but it is a religion that is obligatory for all

We desecrated the traditional values, but new values didn't come along.

I can think that you are mistaken, but I have to be ready to give my life to maintain your right to make mistakes. I have to, though, have the right to say that you're mistaken. This is the principal of the liberal society.

No, moral conscience is one thing, the law is another. We have to hold onto this difference.

John Paul II, above all, managed to contain the huge mass of frustration, of hate that had accumulated in that region, in favour of a peaceful transition. This was, without doubt, something that changed European history.

On the other hand, I think that the family, the traditional family, has a fundamental social role, because it's there that children are born and the investment in children is the greatest investment a country can make. The benefits of this investment go to everyone.

One needs to know what the hierarchy of values are from which one takes inspiration, and in a democratic society this is the subject of continuous democratic debate.

If you search for poverty, you'll find it, often in the family. Why? Because the family makes this great investment, from which we all benefit, but for which no-one helps. We have to point the spotlight on the family, and make political choices that sustain the family.

The family exists in order to allow women to have children and to have the protection of a male who takes care of them.

The family has a social function and so it should be sustained.

The past was more Christian? At times perhaps, in others, though, no.

For Europe, the fall of Communism has to be taken into account, and the fact that in the fight against Communism the recovery of Europe's Christian roots was the driving force.

That's possible, and in fact the legislation, the politics should graduate the advantages towards those who have children and give less to those who don't have children.

I think the State shouldn't poke its nose into the sexual relations of consenting adults.

Priests have to have the right to say that a sin is a sin.

There are cases of waste and privileges that must be seriously restructured,

We request ... the return of all the material that proves to have come from the illegal market,

If we ignore our pasts and try to create a Godless society where things like money or ambition or property are worshipped, then the society loses. ... It is a battle we are fighting at the current time.

If instead one talks about the United States, there's a turning point. You know where you can find it? In a film called Pretty Woman.

If all immoral acts were punished by law, there'd be few people left walking free on the street, we'd all be in jail, including myself probably.

We are firm on this point: what belongs to the Italian people must be returned to the Italian people,

Italians must care for the great art they have around them today, or it may not be there for future generations.

metal detectors, X-rays, the usual sort of things.

We have to immediately send a message to the markets, to whomever wants to invest in Italy, that the country is not going to fall apart.

The problems faced by this extraordinary monument that represents the heart of Rome demands an extraordinary effort,

We want to make a step forward, in which the public sector also takes responsibility.

We have been evaluating in these last weeks the levels of protection, ... And when there is a potential danger we have introduced stricter security measures.

Without question, we will ask for the return of all pieces acquired on the black market. When the proof is certain, we will demand it. We are already imposing huge pressure. And not only on the Getty,

Either the cuts are scrapped, or the minister goes,

The works are returning without an admission of guilt on the part of the Getty, but also without us withdrawing our accusations,

The age of trafficking in ancient art pieces is over,

The issue is mainly an issue that has to be resolved in the conscience of Mr. Fazio,

The care and defence of our cultural and artistic heritage isn't only the state's responsibility. It is every Italian's, ... Italians must care for the great art they have around them today or it may not be there for future generations.

The leadership of the UDC has approved a document to withdraw its team from the government and reiterates that the party secretary should work for the creation of a new government ... headed by Berlusconi,