Church's dismay over UK government's green light on same sex marriage bill

Vatican Radio) The Catholic Church has reacted with dismay to the UK government's announcement that it will introduce a bill in parliament to legalise same sex marriage. The government's move comes after a three month consultation on the contentious issue. Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark is the Chair of the Department for Christian Responsability and Citzenship within the Bishops' Conference. Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges asked him if he was surprised by the government's intention to press ahead with this legislation despite the strong opposition being expressed in many quarters.

Archbishop Smith says he was "not at all surprised" by the government's decision and also says he's "not reassured at all by any government promises " that religious organisations will never be compelled to marry gay couples in church or on their premises. The archbishop adds that another of the Church's criticisms on this issue is the lack of authentic consultation beforehand. "There's been no proper democratic process in bringing this legislation forward" and no mention was made of it in the main parties' election platforms. .. "the whole thing, he says, "is a complete shambles."

Archbishop Smith, however, points out that the real issue at stake here is "about the very meaning of marriage and warns of the negative impact of the goverment's plan. "No government," he continues, "has the right to change that fundamental understanding of marriage which has always been from time immemorial that marriage is between a man and a woman." "Once you start tampering with such a fundamental institution of society, the bedrock of a good and healthy society, there are bound to be ill effects."

Asked what he and the Catholic Church can do at this point to stop gay marriage from becoming law, Archbishop Smith pledges they will do all in their power to try to prevent that happening. "We will oppose it right up to the last." he says.

Similar dismay to the government's green light on gay marriage was expressed by Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth. He told Susy Hodges that he believes the government is "making a terrible mistake" by choosing to press ahead with this bill. "It's something that obviously is damaging to the very social fabric of our country and it will also erode the Christian patrimony and Christian values of England," he says.

Listen to the extended interviews with Archbishop Peter Smith and Bishop Philip Egan: