Romanian leader urges tolerance for same-sex couples

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania's president has called for "tolerance and acceptance" of minorities as Romania considers whether to legally recognize a same-sex marriage between a U.S. citizen and a Romanian man.

Klaus Iohannis, an ethnic German and a Lutheran, noted that he belonged to two minorities. "Tolerance and acceptance of others are vital. These are the values I believe in," he said.

The Constitutional Court will rule next week on a petition to recognize the couple's union, which is currently invalid in Romania, amid opposition from the Romanian Orthodox Church.

"Religious fanaticism does not help society," Iohannis told foreign news organizations Wednesday. "If being a Christian leans toward fanaticism.... it sends a wrong signal."

Religious groups want the constitution amended to state that marriage is a union between a man and a woman.