Archbishop Peter Smith, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of England and Wales issued the following comment in response
to the news that the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill has been introduced in
Parliament.
It is deeply regrettable but not unexpected that the
Government has chosen to proceed with introducing a Bill to change the
definition of marriage. Alongside many people of all faiths and none we will be
vigorously opposing the Bill.
Marriage has an identity distinct from any other
relationship, no matter how much love or commitment may be involved. Marriage
is and always has been the union of one man and one woman, for love and mutual
support, open to procreation. Marriage has, over the centuries, been the
enduring public recognition of this commitment and it has rightly been recognised
as unique and worthy of legal protection. It furthers the common good of
society because it promotes a unique relationship which benefits children. The
fundamental problem with the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is that it will
radically alter the meaning of marriage for everyone and therefore undermine
the common good. This is what is at stake. The Bill also raises very serious
questions especially about religious freedom and freedom of expression, the
effect on teaching in schools, and the work of chaplains and others with
religious convictions involved in the delivery of public services.
There is no electoral mandate for this Bill and last year’s
consultation process was shambolic. We
welcome the promise of a free vote for MPs, and hope the Bill will be defeated.
We will be producing a briefing on the Bill once we have studied it in detail
with our legal advisers. (Thanks to the efpastormeritus:here)
MPs on South Tyneside to contact:
Mr S Hepburn MP for Jarrow:here
Mr D Miliband MP for South Shields:here
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