‘Sham’ claim by Church as gay marriage row flares again

Religious leaders fear government reassurances over plans to legalise gay marriage are a “complete sham”.

Senior SNP figures appeared to indicate yesterday that ministers would press ahead with the measure, despite claims no decision would be taken while a consultation is under way.

The issue has caused arguments within the SNP, after some Christian members of the party demanded no organisation should be forced to be involved in gay marriage against its will. Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson is among the opponents.

A fringe event at the conference, attended by 150 people and hosted by MEP Alyn Smith, saw widespread support for the change.

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart told delegates: “What I believe will happen is that our government, over the course of the next few years, after this consultation, will bring forward legislation which will ensure we will have equal marriage in this country. I’m proud of that, I’m proud that this is the party that will be leading us forward, and I look forward to that new Scotland that we’re trying to build.”

The Catholic Church has been opposed to the change and its concerns were raised during talks earlier this month between Bishop of Paisley Philip Tartaglia and First Minister Alex Salmond at Bute House.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church said of Mr Wishart’s comment: “This is a direct contradiction of what we were told personally by the First Minister on 7 October when the bishop raised his concerns.

“The First Minister said no final decision had been taken and the onus is on Pete Wishart to withdraw that statement or on Alex Salmond to admit that the consultation exercise is a complete sham.”

Finance secretary John Swinney had earlier acknowledged there was “divided opinion” on the issue, but he hoped the consultation would provide a “route through these issues” in the months ahead.

He added: “There will be no compulsion here, there will be no obligation. The protection is there so that no individual within the religious community will be obliged to do this.

“I think we’re right to take this course of action, we’re right to make it possible for religious practitioners to conduct same-sex marriages if they wish to do so. But clearly there must be no compulsion involved in any of that.”

Borders delegate Sue Carroll said she had read the Bible from “cover to cover”, adding: “God’s blessing will fall from us if we allow gay marriage rather than partnership.”