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05/03/2012
Senior Catholic Attacks Governent's Gay Marriage Plan
The most senior Catholic in the UK has called the government’s plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right".
Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”.
"Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said. "It is clear that this proposal is not about rights, but rather is an attempt to redefine marriage for the whole of society at the behest of a small minority of activists."
A spokesperson for the Home Office said the government believed that "if a couple love each other" and want to commit to a life together they should "have the option of a civil marriage irrespective of their sexual orientation".
In a number of controversial remarks the Cardinal said that with the legalisation of same sex marriage, “further aberrations would take place and society would be degenerating even further than it already has into immorality.”
Likening gay marriage to slavery he said: “Imagine for a moment that the Government had decided to legalise slavery but assured us that ‘no one will be forced to keep a slave’.
“Would such worthless assurances calm our fury? Would they justify dismantling a fundamental human right? Or would they simply amount to weasel words masking a great wrong?”
Responding to accusations of using inflammatory language he went on to say, “I don’t think it’s inflammatory at all. I think it’s handing on the teaching of the Christian Church for more than 2,000 years and I am doing my best to hand it on in a way than many people can hear it.”
Labour’s deputy leader, Harriet Harman, expressed fear that the Cardinal’s words could be "fuelling or legitimising prejudice".
"We have had prejudice, discrimination and homophobia for hundreds of years.” She said, “That doesn't make it right."
"I don't want anybody to feel that this is a licence for whipping up prejudice."
(H/GK)
Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”.
"Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said. "It is clear that this proposal is not about rights, but rather is an attempt to redefine marriage for the whole of society at the behest of a small minority of activists."
A spokesperson for the Home Office said the government believed that "if a couple love each other" and want to commit to a life together they should "have the option of a civil marriage irrespective of their sexual orientation".
In a number of controversial remarks the Cardinal said that with the legalisation of same sex marriage, “further aberrations would take place and society would be degenerating even further than it already has into immorality.”
Likening gay marriage to slavery he said: “Imagine for a moment that the Government had decided to legalise slavery but assured us that ‘no one will be forced to keep a slave’.
“Would such worthless assurances calm our fury? Would they justify dismantling a fundamental human right? Or would they simply amount to weasel words masking a great wrong?”
Responding to accusations of using inflammatory language he went on to say, “I don’t think it’s inflammatory at all. I think it’s handing on the teaching of the Christian Church for more than 2,000 years and I am doing my best to hand it on in a way than many people can hear it.”
Labour’s deputy leader, Harriet Harman, expressed fear that the Cardinal’s words could be "fuelling or legitimising prejudice".
"We have had prejudice, discrimination and homophobia for hundreds of years.” She said, “That doesn't make it right."
"I don't want anybody to feel that this is a licence for whipping up prejudice."
(H/GK)
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05 February 2013
Gay Marriage Bill Support Urged
The Tory party is set to split later over David Cameron's plans to allow gay marriage. The controversial Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will take place later. Three most senior Tories in the Cabinet William Hague, George Osborne and Theresa May have urged in an open letter that it "is the right thing to do at the right time".
Gay Marriage Bill Support Urged
The Tory party is set to split later over David Cameron's plans to allow gay marriage. The controversial Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will take place later. Three most senior Tories in the Cabinet William Hague, George Osborne and Theresa May have urged in an open letter that it "is the right thing to do at the right time".
12 June 2012
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
12 December 2012
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
11 December 2012
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
27 October 2004
New proposals to tackle forced marriage unveiled
New laws and a specialist, cross-government taskforce to promote human rights and protect victims are being proposed to help prevent forced marriages, the Home Office and Foreign Office have announced today.
New proposals to tackle forced marriage unveiled
New laws and a specialist, cross-government taskforce to promote human rights and protect victims are being proposed to help prevent forced marriages, the Home Office and Foreign Office have announced today.
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