THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has claimed sectarianism is still limiting religious expression.
At a carol service in Westminster Central Hall in London, Cardinal Keith
O'Brien called on MPs to uphold "freedom of religious expression" which
he believed was under threat in Scotland.
He urged people to "respect, uphold and protect the rights of Christians
to hold their beliefs and to act according to their Christian
conscience".
He said: "In Scotland, Catholics have raised their voices against sectarianism and intolerance directed against the Church.
"Clearly, these actions show that freedom of religious expression, a
basic human right, is not upheld in our midst as widely and as
completely as it should be."
A spokesman for the Church recently wrote that anti-Catholic hostility in Scotland was "deep and wide".
Peter Kearney claimed that the controversy over a sick internet jibe
sent by Hugh Dallas, the SFA head of referee development, may "simply be
the tip of a disturbing iceberg of anti-Catholicism in Scottish
society".
Dallas quit citing "family reasons" after the Catholic Church called for
him to be sacked over allegations he distributed an "offensive" email
about the Pope.
Meanwhile the Orange Order in Scotland have claimed religious
discrimination over a decision by Glasgow City Council to cap the number
of processions allowed.
The council cited the disruption and cost of policing the 1000-plus parades and demonstrations in Glasgow each year.
Celebrate Edward Hyde, the County Grand Master of the Orange Order in Glasgow, said the policy amounted to discrimination.
They now plan to launch a legal action against proposals claiming they
prevent free assembly and are illegal under European human rights
legislation.
Mr Hyde said: "We have the right to celebrate our own Christian beliefs
just as any other organisation has the right to celebrate theirs.
"Just because a handful of politicians decide that they don't agree with
our beliefs and values doesn't give them the right to banish us from
our own city centre."
SIC: DR/UK