Same-sex marriages spark anger

THE Catholic Church in Scotland has pledged “strenuous opposition” to plans to allow same-sex marriages.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the issue and indicated it is inclined to support the idea, though stressing faith groups would not be obliged to solemnise such partnerships.

But Scotland’s Catholic bishops met in Edinburgh yesterday to underline their opposition to any attempt to redefine the meaning of marriage.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien said: “The church esteems the institution of marriage as the most stable building block upon which any family can rest. The view of the church is clear, no government can rewrite human nature; the family and marriage existed before the state and are built on the union between a man and woman. Any attempt to redefine marriage is a direct attack on a foundational building block of society and will be strenuously opposed.”