Scotland’s bishops issue pastoral message on marriage

(August 27, 2012) The bishops of Scotland have issued a pastoral letter encouraging the faithful’s continuing support for traditional marriage against the government’s proposal to introduce same-sex marriage. “We write to you having already expressed our deep disappointment that the Scottish government has decided to redefine marriage and legislate for same-sex marriage,” the bishops stated in a pastoral letter read throughout Scottish parishes on Sunday. “We take this opportunity to thank you for your past support in defence of marriage and hope you will continue to act against efforts to redefine it,” they said. “In circumstances when the true nature of marriage is being obscured, we wish to affirm and celebrate the truth and beauty of the Sacrament of Matrimony and family life as Jesus revealed it; to do something new to support marriage and family life in the Catholic community and in the country; and to reinforce the vocation of marriage and the pastoral care of families which takes in the everyday life of the Church in dioceses and parishes across the country,” they added as they announced the establishment of a Commission for Marriage and the Family.