Scottish Catholic Observer

If what Baroness Warsi said of the visit this week of a UK political delegation to the Vatican is true—“We stand side by side with the Pope in fighting for faith,”—then we must hold her and all politicians to these words.

“This trip is about more than a Valentine’s Day ‘love in’ with our Catholic neighbours, this is about recognising the deep and intrinsic role of faith here in Britain and overseas,” she said as the group marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states and offered thanks for the 2010 Papal visit.

Faith must absolutely not be driven from the very foundations of our society and way of life: marriage and family. The celebration of love, commitment and family dominated the headlines this week but amid the flurry of hearts and flowers surrounding Valentine’s Day was an important message to ‘take marriage seriously.’

Cardinal Keith O’Brien used the opportunity of International Marriage Week, observed from February 12 to 19, to highlight the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage, the traditional ‘union of man and woman,’ by using Pope Benedict XVI’s own words on the subject to which he added his own.

“In past centuries so many may indeed have taken marriage seriously—but sometimes that is not the case in our own time,” Cardinal O’Brien added.

Marriage has come under significant scrutiny in the past six months. A push by the Scottish Government to redefine the institution to include same-sex unions began in earnest last year with a consultation period on the subject. A similar process is being considered in England and Wales. Both moves have been met by stern opposition from the Church, echoed by Christians and members of other faiths and none.

The cardinal this week quoted from the documents of the Second Vatican Council when he said ‘this sacred bond no longer depends on human decision alone—for God Himself is the author of marriage!’ and Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury asked MPs ‘of Christian conscience’ to reject plans to legalise same-sex ‘marriage’ ‘for the sake of all generations to come.’

In spite of the looming threats hanging over marriage, as part of joyful celebrations at St Francis Xavier’s Church in Falkirk the cardinal welcomed the first fully trained group of parish catechists in marriage. During the event, couples renewed their marriage vows and the cardinal blessed young couples preparing to wed who are undergoing marriage preparation, inspiring them with an account of last year’s royal wedding of the future King and Queen, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn.

This spotlight on everything that marriage is and what it stands for, and on those of all generations who continue to hold it dear, sends a clear message to our elected officials who are contemplating altering its parameters: Don’t.

PIC: PAUL McSHERRY