Churches united in opposition against same-sex marriage

AN unlikely alliance between churches has condemned the Scottish Government’s move to consult on same-sex marriages.

The Free Church of Scotland yesterday said it “applauded the courage” of the Catholic Church for its opposition to making same-sex marriages legal.

The Catholic Bishop of Paisley, Philip Tartaglia, recently accused the SNP of provoking a “growing apprehension and disappointment” among Catholics, with a series of “ill-advised” policies, such as anti-bigotry legislation and plans to allow a Holyrood vote on same-sex marriages.

A Free Church commission has now expressed “deep dismay” at the consultation. It says it is concerned “the timeless definition of marriage as the voluntary union of one man and one woman would be changed irreversibly” and would be “undermined if the government effectively changes its meaning to include same-sex couples”.

It said for the Scottish Government to change the meaning of marriage shows “an irrational determination to force a form of equality upon society which is not rooted in any recognised moral foundation”.

It pressed the Scottish Government to reverse the proposals adding: “In this respect the Free Church Commission wishes also to applaud the courage of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow and support their clear statements in opposition to same-sex marriage”.

The Catholic Church said the comments are “greatly welcomed and appreciated”.

JOHN ROSS