Same-sex marriage: Anger over bishop’s bigamy and incest jibe

By RORY REYNOLDS
Published on 05/08/2012 00:00

A CATHOLIC bishop has sparked outrage among equality campaigners by suggesting that the Scottish Government could extend legislation on same-sex marriage to include bigamy and even incest, if it truly believed in equality.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen questioned why equality would not extend to “nieces who genuinely, truly love their uncles” and why men could not have two wives.

In response, the pro-gay marriage group Equality Network said his remarks were “offensive and uncalled for”.

Senior sources within the Catholic Church have indicated that Scotland’s ­bishops are set to pull out of discussions over same-sex marriage. They claimed the recent consultation was “a sham” and that the Scottish Government had already decided to push ahead with legislation regardless.

Gilbert, the first bishop to be appointed in Scotland by Pope Benedict, said: “The truth is that a government can pass any legislation it likes. Why is it all right for a man to marry another man, but not all right for him to marry two women?

“If we really want equality, why does that equality not extend to nieces who genuinely, truly love their uncles?”

He added: “As Bishop of Aberdeen, I know there are gay people among the community of the Church. I promise I will always respect and love them and uphold them in their relationship with the God who loves them. But I won’t marry them. It just can’t be done.”

Tim Hopkins, director 
of Equality Network, said: “We are very disappointed the Bishop of Aberdeen should choose to com­­pare same-sex marriage to polygamy and incest. That is offensive and uncalled for.”