Scottish Catholic Observer

A wise reader posted on the SCO website this week, ahead of Support Marriage Sunday: “The SNP (and particularly Nicola Sturgeon) in their politically-correct fervour see themselves as dragging those who disagree with them on same-sex ‘marriage’ into the 21st century, but if men of good conscience refuse to marry a same-sex couple they could, in theory, go to jail—this is more like dragging us back to 16th century persecution of those with the courage to stick to their beliefs.”

The Catholic Church in Scotland, the ‘special daughter of Rome,’ is the politically neutral soul of our society but it has no reason to be apologetic for standing firm on Catholic teaching or—when politicians veer off course on social policy—for pastorally steering them back to safety. As the Scottish Government ploughs ahead with its aim of redefining marriage, MSPs and ministers alike need to remember that God’s law, unlike man’s, is not a slave to political fads and fashions but a continuous and consistent guide that predates democracy, and which will remain long after they are gone. This is why the Church has been such a uniting force, speaking up for its flock and people of other faiths, and none, in Scottish society in troubled times and on difficult issues. The relationship between ‘church’ and ‘state’ has historically been a respected check and balance in our democracy, for progress needs both ‘brakes’ and ‘accelerator’ to successfully steer the path ahead.

When Ms Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government’s consultation on marriage she said the government wanted to hear from a wide range of voices. Hear, perhaps, listen, as it turns out… no.

It is a sad day when having standards and ideals, and sticking to them, is condemned and marginalised. Where is the ‘equality’ and ‘democracy’ in that? If this is deemed progress—the way forward to a brighter future for Scotland—then we have wandered further off the right path than originally feared.

Governments can legislate until the end of time but in the eyes of the Faithful it won’t make right what God deems wrong. And the safeguards promised to protect religious freedoms are not worth the paper they have yet to be written on. Worst of all, the Church faces a future where there may be restrictions on not only what it practises—marriage—but also what it preaches. If Catholic schools face the prospect of having to promote same-sex ‘marriage’ if it becomes law, what lies ahead for Catholic priests and parishes?

Marriage is a sacred state reserved for heterosexual couples because those unions secure our future by providing us with the generations to come. Those wishing to redefine marriage law claim those opposed are homophobic or against equal rights. Equal does not necessarily mean the same. Remember this Sunday to support marriage; God’s law is a higher authority than man’s.