Ferocious opposition from the Church of Scotland has dealt a serious blow to controversial SNP Government plans for same-sex marriage.
In an official submission to a Scottish Government consultation on the issue, the Church insists proposals to let same-sex couples marry in church would ”surrender” the traditional concept of marriage.
It says marriage has always been understood as between a man and a woman, adding: ”If the Church were to agree that marriage be redefined to include same-sex marriage this would involve a fundamental change in its understanding of marriage.”
According to the submission, such a fundamental change could have ”significant repercussions” for Scottish society and individuals.
In the rare intervention, the Kirk is also extremely critical of the ”patchy, undeveloped and exclusive” way the Scottish Government has handled the consultation.
”The Church is concerned at the speed with which the Scottish Government is proceeding on this issue,” it says. ”It appears that the Government has, with only limited exceptions, failed to persuade the religious community in Scotland.
”The Church does not believe that there has been sufficient debate. Indeed, it believes that what debate there has been has been patchy, undeveloped and exclusive of both ordinary people and the religious community.”
The development means Scotland’s two largest churches are now opposed to a proposal which has already caused fierce internal debate in the SNP.
The submission was lodged a day after 200 protesters descended on the Scottish Parliament to show their opposition to the plans.
Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson, a one-time Dundee East MP, warned the party the move could cost it the forthcoming independence referendum.
And Scotland’s most powerful Catholic, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, also addressed the crowd to claim Scottish society has become ”blase” about the importance of marriage.
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The Church of Scotland submission echoes the Cardinal’s view, adding: ”It is not clear what compelling reasons there might be for introducing same-sex marriage without allowing for further debate.
”The Church believes that much more measured consideration is required before the understanding of marriage is surrendered.
”To redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage may have significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country and, in particular, for the well-being of families and communities and of individuals.”
The Scottish Government launched the consultation in September asking if marriage in Scotland should be allowed for gay people through a civil or religious ceremony.
Currently, same-sex couples can enter a civil partnership, which carries full legal rights, but the ceremony cannot be conducted in a church or other religious premises.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the Government tended to the initial view was that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in church. However, she stressed all views would be listened to and ministers and officials have been meeting key groups to discuss the proposals.
A recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey found that more than 60% of people believe same-sex couples should have the right to marry, compared with 19% who disagree.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie said he was disappointed by the Church of Scotland submission, adding: ”If two people want to get married and a church wants to conduct the service why should anyone stop them?”
A spokeswoman for the SNP said: ”No decision has been made, and will only be made in light of the consultation. The Scottish Government is clear that, whatever the way forward, faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise same-sex marriages.”
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