The most senior Roman Catholic in Scotland has come out to accuse cabinet ministers in London and Edinburgh of devaluing family life.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien voiced criticism over Westminster’s decision to legalise civil partnerships, as well as the move by the Scottish Executive to change the laws on uncontested divorce.Scotland’s head cardinal made the criticisms during his New Year’s Day homily in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The comments have met with outcry from some who have warned of the danger of inciting violence against gay people.
Spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, George Broadhead, called the cardinal’s comments ‘hatemongering’, saying that “it might even lead to more violence” against homosexuals.
Cardinal O’Brien urged in his homily MSPs at Holyrood in particular to give “unequivocal support” for marriage, arguing that the homosexual lifestyle was “undermining values which for generations have been treasured”.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said that the law had to reflect modern family life which included unmarried parents, co-habitation and divorce.Cardinal O’Brien said, however, that the family remained “the basic social unit” which should be recognised, protected and promoted a capstone of society.
“When our lawmakers condone and endorse trends in society which are ultimately ruinous of family life we are entitled to question their motivation and condemn their behaviour,” he told his congregation.
Just last week, Pope Benedict XVI called on the UK Government to acknowledge “the indispensable role of stable marriage and family life” for the good of society.
The new Civil Partnership Act came into force early in December 2005, giving hundreds of gay couples up and down the country the same rights as heterosexual couples. MSPs also recently approved controversial plans to speed up the separation period required before a full divorce can be obtained.
