Cardinal attacks gay wedding legalisation

THE leader of Scotland’s Catholic Church has warned that schools will be banned from promoting traditional marriage if controversial plans to legalise gay marriage go ahead.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien said it was “clear that Scotland’s schools will be banned from promoting a traditional understanding of marriage” in a statement criticising the SNP government’s proposals.

The senior cleric’s latest attack on the plans came after it was revealed that a majority of MSPs have committed themselves to voting in favour of same-sex marriage, with the Equality Network saying that 69 MSPs have signed its pledge in favour of changing the law.

A final bill to legalise same-sex wedding ceremonies could be introduced as early as next year.

The Scottish Government said it was now considering more than 50,000 responses to its consultation on the proposals.

Ministers have previously stated that the government “tends towards the view” that same-sex marriage should be introduced but that faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise the ceremonies.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The consultation on same-sex marriage and registration of civil partnerships has closed, and we are now analysing the responses.

“While we have expressed our initial view … supporting same-sex marriage, we have given assurance that all opinions will be listened to.”