Monday, August 06, 2012

Gay marriage gets approval from Rutherglen MSP

THE news that gay marriage could be legalised in Scotland has been welcomed by Rutherglen’s MSP.

But angry church leaders are opposed to plans from the SNP Government to bring forward a bill giving same-sex couples the same option to marry as heterosexuals.

James Kelly MSPAlthough the SNP will include an opt-out for religions opposed to gay marriage, many church groups are against the plan, which has been supported by equal rights groups.

Rutherglen MSP James Kelly said he was “inclined to support legislation which delivers further equality for same-sex couples”.

He added: “I will examine the legislation closely when published in order to assess its impact. I do recognise the strong views of religious groups on this matter and would not be comfortable with legislation which mandates individual clerics or ministers to carry out same-sex marriage ceremonies. I am aware that there are strong views on either side of this debate in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. I look forward to the forthcoming discussion and hope that it will be conducted with courtesy and dignity on both sides.”

The announcement was made last week in the wake of a Government consultation which produced a record 77,508 responses.

Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships and the Holyrood government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches.
The Church of Scotland is currently carrying out its own report on the issue, with the findings due in May next year.

The Rev Alan Hamilton, convener of the Church of Scotland legal questions committee warned the Government that they could not rush the plan through.
Gay marriage gets approval from Rutherglen MSP 
The Catholic Church described it as a “dangerous social experiment”.

But Father Patrick Hennessy at St Columbkille’s admitted the issue had not been raised within the congregation.

He said: “Nothing has been said because people’s concerns are about other things just now. My personal view does not really matter but marriage is a union between a man and a woman. All through the generations marriage has been between a man and a woman and this is a drastic change.”