Gay marriage ‘harmful’, Sturgeon told

PLANS to legalise gay marriage in Scotland will damage “religious freedom”, Deputy First Minister Nicola First Minister was warned during talks with Catholic Church leaders yesterday.

Ms Sturgeon met Bishop of Paisley Philip Tartaglia in Edinburgh as part of the Scottish Government’s consultation on allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Catholic Church parliamentary officer John Deighan said last night: “Bishop Tartaglia was forthright in his assertion that proposals to legislate for same sex marriage would be harmful to society and to the government.”

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Ms Sturgeon said: “While ministers tend towards the initial view that same-sex marriage should be introduced, faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise same-sex marriage.

“We also gave an assurance that all views will be listened to.”