Strange antics

Yet again, we face the embarrassing spectacle of two members of the Scottish Catholic hierarchy headline-grabbing in pursuit of a change in the law of England, to permit a Catholic to be allowed marry the (Protestant) heir to the throne.

Bishop Devine argues: "When a monarch is free to marry a Scientologist, Muslim, Buddhist, Moonie or even Satanist but not a Catholic, then there's something seriously wrong," (Your report, 12 July.) There's something wrong, all right. For starters, "mixed marriages" are prohibited in the Catholic Church. Thus, a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, be they prince or pauper, is forbidden. Why, then, are these Catholic bishops publicly battling for something that is prohibited in Church law?

Are we to take it that "the competent authority" will - without much ado - give "express permission" for such a marriage, despite the fact any children of the marriage would be brought up as non-Catholics? Really? One rule for royalty and another for the rest of us? Is that it, Cardinal O'Brien? Really, Bishop Devine?

PATRICIA McKEEVER

Editor, Catholic Truth

Sandyford Place, Glasgow