Church priorities

I was interested to read that the Catholic Church in Scotland had decided to launch an appeal among its congregation to raise large amounts of money (your report, 9 July).

Times are tough for us all, so what had the Catholic Church decided to do with its hard-pressed parishioners’ money?

Save thousands of lives by vaccinating poor people in Africa from malaria?

Feed and clothe those at home who are struggling to make 
ends meet? Provide decent homes to the homeless on the streets of Scotland?

Sadly not. It has decided to spend its money trying to 
prevent loving couples from 
getting married.

If it had made it a priority, the Church could make a real, positive and lasting contribution to the quality of life for poor 
people all over the world, 
including here in Scotland.

With that in mind, I’d like to ask your readers of faith: is fighting marriage equality 
really what you want your money spent on?

Can you think of any more worthy causes? If so, I’m sure Cardinal O’Brien would love to hear from you.

Ross Chmiel

Jameson Place

Edinburgh

You report that Cardinal O’Brien has promised an almighty backlash if the Scottish Government approves same-sex marriage.

We shouldn’t be at all surprised at this threat, which is the usual position of Catholic leaders who lead by the motto “do as we say, or else”.

The Cardinal’s position is an affront to the democratic process, and to the people of Scotland who want to live in an 
egalitarian state untainted by such appalling religiously 
inspired prejudice and bigotry.

It is to be hoped the Scottish Government realises that it 
governs Scotland on behalf of all its people, not just Catholics and Christians.

Alistair McBay

National Secular Society

Atholl Crescent

Edinburgh

Tom French of the Equality Network attacks Cardinal O’Brien and the Catholic Church for defending the Christian view of marriage as being “undemocratic, aggressive and un-Christian” (your report, 9 July).

He also declares that “at a time of financial crisis, when poverty and deprivation are on the rise, surely there are better things that this money could be spent on”.

At least the Catholic Church is spending its own money. The Equality Network, on the other hand, is part-funded by the
government.

It does nothing to counter the gross inequalities in our society, especially among the poor.

Instead, it uses taxpayers’ money to employ people to promote the new politically correct morality, to attack the Christian Church and to ensure that the politicians who fund them are kept on song, so that they can continue funding them.

At a time of financial crisis surely there are better things the government could be spending its money on?

David Robertson

Solas CPC

St Peter’s Free Church

St Peter’s Street, Dundee