Bishop Egan: Re-defining marriage in the UK "Orwellian"

(Vatican Radio) The British House of Commons yesterday passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage with the support of Prime Minister David Cameron. The bill enables same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, provided that the religious institution consents. The proposed law was strongly opposed by the Catholic Church.

Emer McCarthy spoke to the Bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan about the issue.

“Naturally, I am very disappointed that Parliament wishes, in an Orwellian manner, to redefine the concept of marriage for England and Wales,” said Bishop Philip Egan, of the Diocese of Portsmouth. “The proposed change will have catastrophic consequences for marriage as an institution, for family life in Britain, and for all human relationships, not least among our young.”

Bishop Egan said the proposal could affect how the Church deals with civil marriage.

“One possible consequence of this is that the Church will be forced to withdraw from the civil registration of marriages, as in some European countries, where couples fulfil the civil requirements in the Town Hall before heading to church for Matrimony,” he said.

Listen to an interview by Emer McCarthy with Bishop Egan: