The new Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh says Scottish
Catholics may in future have to marry in a civil ceremony as well as in
Church.
Archbishop Leo Cushely said two separate ceremonies, which couples in
a number of European countries attend, could be necessary if the Church
is to avoid legal challenges over gay marriage.
"It's not impossible to imagine such a thing here in the future
[marrying in two ceremonies]. It is, at least, an option that may have
to be contemplated," he told The Scotsman newspaper.
The Scottish Parliament has been told that opting out of marrying
same-sex couples was "unlikely" to lead to legal challenge on the basis
of existing human rights and equality legislation.
Under the terms of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, all
religious bodies would have to opt in to the principle of same-sex
marriage and it is proposed that the Equality Act would be amended to
consolidate the principle and provide legal protection for clergy who do
not wish to conduct same-sex marriages.