Making Things More Civil

Never having needed to be consummated, civil partnerships ought not to be confined to unrelated same-sex couples, or even to unrelated couples generally.

But if they are down 70 per cent, then I must move in unusual circles, and can only say that they are being kept going by and for the Anglican clergy.

In view of the fact that there is formally no sexual element at all to a civil partnership, does entry into one affect anyone's standing within the Catholic Church? Especially laypeople, but even clerics?

I mean, a Religious could not live the vow of poverty as a civil partner, if only because his or her partner would have inheritance rights. But what about a secular priest? I only ask.

At least for laypeople, there would be no question to answer here if, never having needed to be consummated, civil partnerships were no longer confined to unrelated same-sex couples, or even to unrelated couples generally.