Getting better everyday, LifeSitesNews, which I have been following for years, has an excellent article on the strained relationship between the Scottish Government and Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Edinburgh. I wish we had such leaders in certain state capitols in America. Could he talk with Cardinal Dolan, please?
Part of the article noted that:
Edinburgh archdiocesan spokesman Peter Kearney, however, belied this, saying relations between the cardinal and the Scottish Government are “strained”.
“There was never a suggestion that people were not going to talk. Things are definitely strained and more difficult since they made the decision on same-sex marriage.
“It’s difficult to continue a dialogue with someone when they consistently ignore all the points you make. That’s definitely put a strain on the relationship,” Kearney said.
“Having said that, the Church remains committed to dialogue on this subject. It will be dialogue between Church and Government officials as opposed to the Cardinal and the First Minister but there is a feeling of deep disappointment in the Church and a sense that engagement and dialogue is possible but difficult when the Government continually ignores all the concerns raised by the Church,” Kearney continued.
The Scottish government launched a public consultation in September 2011, for which the overwhelming response was negative. Legal experts warned that “gay marriage” and religious freedom and freedom of expression could not co-exist. The government, however, announced that it would be forging ahead regardless of the dangers to civil liberties or the wishes of the majority of the public.
The consultation produced a record 77,508 responses, two thirds of which were opposed on a wide variety of grounds. In response, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the consultation is only one among many factors to be considered in the process. Despite the overwhelming opposition from the general public, the government announced last month that it would be going ahead with the proposal and expect to see the first public ceremonies, including in churches, beginning in 2015.
The Bishop of Glasgow is also leading the way in public statements regarding the coming loss of religious freedom in Scotland.
With the recent appointment of Bishop Philip Tartaglia to the Catholic see of Glasgow, the two prelates have become the most vocal opponents of the political homosexualist agenda in the UK. The Catholic Church, however, is not alone in the fight. In July, the Rev Alan Hamilton, convener of the Church of Scotland legal questions committee, said, “We are concerned the government will legislate without being able to effectively protect religious bodies or their ministers whose beliefs prevent them from celebrating civil-partnerships or same-sex marriages.”