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 Cushley said two separate ceremonies, which couples attend in a number of European countries, 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.
Archbishop Cushley said that the Church would always bless Christian marriages but explained: “It’s whether or not we would bless them in conjunction with the State … There are Catholic countries like France, where they are two separate things and have been since the French Revolution and the separation of Church and State.”
In a separate newspaper interview, the archbishop warned of “drift” in the Scottish Church unless new bishops are appointed soon. Four out of eight dioceses are awaiting new leaders. He told The Herald that there were a number of good candidates, one of whom he thought might have been given his own job.
Archbishop Cushley, who was ordained and installed on 21 September, said that it might be some time before new bishops are appointed.
“There’s a rhythm of work that’s beyond our control that involves the nuncio piecing things together, proposing names, an examination of each candidate, collaboration of those in Scotland, that goes to Rome and depending on the bulk of work Rome has to deal with,” he added.
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