John Smeaton, in a recent blog tells us about a brave and outspoken bishop in Scotland.
Mr. David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, speaking at a reception in his London residence to celebrate achievements of homosexuals there, said that he hoped to be able to provide for religious ceremonies for same-sex unions. Mr. Cameron claimed that
‘as someone who believes in marriage, who believes in civil partnership, who believes in commitment’ such ceremonies ‘should be able to happen and we should make that happen.’
This is remarkably similar language to that used by the Irish Minister for Justice in relation to the enactment of legislation recognising homosexual and lesbian unions in Ireland recently. I wonder how it is that they have both become so determined to champion same sex relationships at the expense of the family when it is clearly contrary to natural law based human rights
However there are some brave and fearless witnesses in Scotland who are prepared to stand up for the truth, Bishop Philip Tartaglia, who is Bishop of Paisley, has written to Mr. Cameron as follows:
‘Your statement is vague enough to have more than one outcome in practice. But you and your Government need to be aware from the outset that the Catholic Church will not register civil partnerships nor celebrate same-sex unions: not now, not in the future, not ever, no matter what legislation or regulations your Government enacts or endorses'.
How necessary are such fighting words! Mr. Smeaton suggests that we should write to Bishop Tartaglia to thank him for his timely admonition. Here is the Bishop’s email address philiptartaglia@aim.com
