Scottish Catholic Observer

Members of the Knights of St Columba have presented Scotland’s Deputy First Minister with a petition signed by 1000 Catholics in her constituency opposed to same-sex ‘marriage.’

The meeting between Nicola Sturgeon and the lay Catholic group at the weekend is the latest development in the ongoing campaign against same-sex ‘marriage,’ a campaign led by the Church that is increasing in intensity ahead of the Scottish Government’s response to its public consultation on the issues that is due in the next two months.

Representatives from the order of Catholic laymen handed the petition to the MSP for Glasgow Southside at her surgery last Saturday. They had gathered the signatures from the five Catholic churches in Ms Sturgeon’s constituency, including Blessed John Dun Scotus in the Gorbals.

Bashir Maan, a leading member of the Muslim community in Glasgow and former city councillor joined the knights for the presentation of the petition.

After receiving the petition, Ms Sturgeon, who is the Scottish Government spokeswoman on this issue, said no decision had yet been made even though her government has previously said it ‘tended towards the initial view’ that same-sex ‘marriage’ should be introduced.

“Decisions will be taken in due course and, as the government has always made clear, if the decision is to legislate for same-sex ‘marriage’ then there will be protections to ensure that no religious group is compelled to take part in same-sex ‘marriage,’” she said.

John Deighan, the Scottish bishops parliamentary officer, said the Church was increasing the pressure on the Scottish Government as it would be ‘very damaging’ if the government went ahead and changed the definition of marriage.

The Knights of St Columba are continuing the campaign against any change to the definition of marriage by holding a Weekend of Witness this month throughout Britain.

As part of Our Christian Values Under Attack weekend of action on April 27-29, events will include prayers at St Alphnosus Church, Glasgow for the protection of Christian values.

— For more information on the Weekend of Witness visit: http://tinyurl.com/cwgd88y

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