Scottish cardinal calls for referendum on same-sex ‘marriage’

Cardinal Keith P. O’Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh has challenged the Scottish government to hold a nationwide referendum on same-sex“marriage,” following its commitment to schedule a vote for independence.

“Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue,” Cardinal O’Brien said in a July 16 statement.

“Let all those who have a view on this subject place their trust in the Scottish people and let Scotland decide,” he said.

The cardinal has thrown down his challenge only 24 hours before the government is likely to announce its official view on same-sex“marriage.”

The country’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has so far said he “tends towards” supporting the policy. However, he is also committed to taking on-board those views expressed during his administration’s public consultation on the issue.

That three-month process garnered over 77,000 submissions – the highest response rate to any consultation since the devolved Scottish Parliament was created in 1999. It is also three times the number of public responses received for the governing Scottish National Party’s recent consultation on its flagship policy of Scottish independence.

Cardinal O’Brien said this “clearly” demonstrated that “far more people are concerned about fundamental matters of morality at the present time.” [More]

SOURCE

CNA/EWTN News