Catholic survey finds 70% against gay marriage

THE government has been warned it has “no mandate” to introduce gay marriage, after a survey showed a majority believed the bond should remain a “lifelong” commitment between a man and a woman.

An online survey of 2,004 adults conducted last month has shown 70 per cent agreed with the statement “marriage should continue to be defined as a life-long exclusive commitment between a man and a woman”.

The survey, commissioned by the group Catholic Voices, was conducted by the polling organisation Comres and has been released as the government prepares to start a consultation on how to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples this month.

Other findings in the survey showed a majority, at 59 per cent, agreed that stable relationships between same-sex couples should be legally recognised through civil partnerships.

Austen Ivereigh, co-ordinator of Catholic Voices, said: “Our poll shows the government has no mandate to alter an institution which lies at the foundation of our society.”

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, leader of Scottish Catholics, has described same-sex marriage as an “aberration” that would lead society further into “immorality”.

But David Cameron has given his backing to gay marriage.