Marriage between a man and woman is “sorely needed” in today’s society
and it could soon be “too late” to save that union, the leader of the
Roman Catholic church in England and Wales has said.In a wide-ranging attack on Coalition policies, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, accused David Cameron of seeking to undermine a centuries-old understanding of matrimony.
He said support for marriage and family stability was now an urgent priority that “no intelligent government” could ignore.
His comments come just days before MPs debate the same-sex marriage bill which faces its next Commons hurdle this week.
Mr Cameron has made the controversial legislation a key symbol of his efforts to modernise the Conservatives but the issue has caused divisions in his party.
During a service at Westminster Cathedral, where more than 600 couples renewed their vows, the Archbishop said marriage was an “exclusive” commitment between a man and a woman.
“This witness you give, to the true nature of marriage in its natural and supernatural meaning, is a witness that is sorely needed today,” he said.
“It stands against those trends in our society which seek to undermine this understanding of marriage, reducing marriage primarily to a means of satisfying individual emotional needs.”
He added: “I hope many in our society will realise, before it is too late, the importance of full and unequivocal legal backing for this true and lasting definition of marriage.
“The core of marriage is not determined by human laws and conventions.
“For a healthy society, those laws and conventions should always support marriage as an institution characterised by an openness to children and the responsibility of fathers and mothers remaining together to care for children born into their family.”
The Archbishop, who has been one of the loudest opponents of the Government plans, told the congregation that a stable family was the “first and best answer” to personal and social problems.
“Families are often best placed to respond to those needs,” he said.
“No intelligent government can continue to ignore the urgent priority of giving support and practical encouragement to marriage and family stability as the first response to growing social needs.”
During the Mass in Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Marriage he blessed the couples who celebrated almost 20,000 years of wedlock between them.
All were marking their 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th anniversaries this year.
Eleanor Flexen, 64, who marked her 40th anniversary with her chauffeur husband Roger, 66, welcomed his words.
Mrs Flexen, from West Drayton in west London, said: “The service reinforced marriage, especially in this day and age.
“It is important, family is important, especially for children who do need a mother and a father.
“What was marriage will die out if they don’t promote it.”
Denis Shalloe, 71, from Ealing in west London, and his wife Alison, 70, echoed her words and said they would advocate marriage to future generations.
“It was a beautiful service,” Mrs Shalloe said. “For us it was a celebration of 50 years of marriage. It’s been up and down but it has been good.”