Thanks to Archbishop Nichols and Archbishop Smith for their statement on the government response to the same sex marriage consultation:
The meaning of marriage matters. It derives that meaning from its function as the foundation of the family. The union of one man and one woman for love and mutual support and open to procreation has over the centuries formed a stable unit we call the family. Marriage is the enduring public recognition of this commitment and has been rightly recognised as unique and worthy of legal protection.
The government has chosen to ignore the views of over 600,000 people who signed a petition calling for the current definition of marriage to stay, and we are told legislation to change the definition of marriage will now come to Parliament.
We strongly oppose such a Bill. Furthermore, the process by which this has happened can only be described as shambolic. There was no electoral mandate in any manifesto; no mention in the Queen’s speech; no serious or thorough consultation through a Green or White paper, and a constant shifting of policy before even the government response to the consultation was published today.
We urge everyone who cares about upholding the meaning of marriage in civil law to make their views known to their MPs clearly, calmly and forcefully, and without impugning the motives of others. We urge all parties to ensure their Members have a free vote. It is not too late to stop this Bill.
I am glad that the Bishops mentioned both the
C4M petition (do sign it if you haven't got round to doing so.) They are absolutely right to describe the process towards yesterday's Government announcement as shambolic.
5 comments:
Father, thank you so much for posting this. The civilization stands at the edge here. If this orchestrated agenda is allowed to go through, Britain will never be the same. Christ Himself said that the sins of His time were as great as S and G (am I allowed to use the names of those cities in England?). We need more conviction from the laity on this point, but sadly, too many have capitulated to the secular view that this sin has rights.
I'm sorry to disagree: I think that to most people the word 'shambolic' is friendly, joshing, perhaps referring to something disorganised, left undone, like a child's untidy room. The SSM legislation is not the result of a shambolic process in this sense. It is a deliberate attempt to undo civil society and the common good as we know it and as we have received it. The only excuse for the Bishops of EandW (in my opinion) is that we have neither the First Amendment of the American Constitution nor the Concordats of the European countries (all made with the local tyrants of the time from Napoleon to Mussolini to Hitler) to protect us. So in a way the Catholics of England will have to return to begging for special exemptions and tolerance. This does not go with courage and plain speaking. In fact Abp Nichols may think that this is counterproductive. I think he is wrong because it cuts the laity out of the process of using their brains in public, but VN might think that behind the scenes negotiations with the Ottoman Divan on which Ms Miller undoubtedly sits might produce more 'concessions' for Catholic dhimmis than confrontation.
There is a good article by Archbishop Smith in to-day's Telegraph.
It will be interesting to have a legal analysis of the quadruple lock. Quite why the CofE should be forbidden to hold gay marriages whilst over denominations can choose escapes me entirely. I still think that all churches who refuse to conduct gay marriages will be challenged in the Courts and probably lose. It is quite incomprehensible as to why the Conservative party is picking this quarrel with the RC Church.
Dear Fr.
"Shambolic" is the correct term for this Government's pathetic attempts to force Gay Marriage on to the populace.
I am minded of the "Shambolic" Jack Straw, MP, when a Socialist Cabinet Member, referring to Catholics having a belief in "the Immaculate Conception of Jesus Christ".
I kid you not.
An excellent statement!
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