Scottish bishop warns government on 'serious chill' in relations with Church
October 05, 2011
A Scottish bishop has warned the country's First Minister that the government risks a "serious chill" in relations with the Catholic Church, because of its support for same-sex marriage and for proposed legislation on sectarian activities.
Bishop Philip Tartaglia of Paisley told the government leader, Alex Salmond, that the Scottish bishops are "dismayed" by the government's willingness to advance legislation providing for legal recognition of same-sex marriage. That effort could damage relations with the Church, he said.
Bishop Tartaglia also criticized the government's handling of a bill to cope with offenses against religious groups, saying that the leadership was ignoring the evidence of widespread hostility toward Catholics. The bishop said: "Official figures made available some years ago show conclusively that sectarian criminality is made up predominantly of acts of intolerance and hostility towards Catholics."
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