The Bishop of Lancaster, Michael G. Campbell, OSA, has issued an important statement complementing that by Archbishops Nichols and Smith.
STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOP OF LANCASTER
ON THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL TO REDEFINE MARRIAGE IN
FORTHCOMING LEGISLATION
Despite the widespread opposition evident in the recent consultation, the Coalition
government appears determined to introduce legislation which will redefine the
traditional understanding of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This
government proposal, if passed into law will, I believe, prove seriously detrimental to
one of the pillars of our society which is family life, and carries extremely worrying
long-term consequences for the family as we know it.
This proposed alternative vision of married life stands in marked contrast to the
Catholic and Christian understanding of marriage as something inherent in the divine
purpose for the well-being of humanity. We believe that Almighty God created man and
woman with their specific differences to complement each other, and their mutual
expression of life-giving love within marriage enables the children who are the fruit of
that love to grow and flourish. To tamper with and attempt to redefine through law the
integrity of this ancient and honourable institution of marriage will not serve the best
interests of our present society, nor of those who will come after us.
I make my own the words of Archbishops Nichols and Smith in their statement: “We
urge everyone who cares about upholding the meaning of marriage in civil law to
make their views known to their MPs clearly, calmly and forcefully, and without
impugning the motives of others. We urge all parties to ensure their Members
have a free vote. It is not too late to stop this Bill.”
+Michael G Campbell OSA,
Bishop of Lancaster
12-12
STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOP OF LANCASTER
ON THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL TO REDEFINE MARRIAGE IN
FORTHCOMING LEGISLATION
Despite the widespread opposition evident in the recent consultation, the Coalition
government appears determined to introduce legislation which will redefine the
traditional understanding of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This
government proposal, if passed into law will, I believe, prove seriously detrimental to
one of the pillars of our society which is family life, and carries extremely worrying
long-term consequences for the family as we know it.
This proposed alternative vision of married life stands in marked contrast to the
Catholic and Christian understanding of marriage as something inherent in the divine
purpose for the well-being of humanity. We believe that Almighty God created man and
woman with their specific differences to complement each other, and their mutual
expression of life-giving love within marriage enables the children who are the fruit of
that love to grow and flourish. To tamper with and attempt to redefine through law the
integrity of this ancient and honourable institution of marriage will not serve the best
interests of our present society, nor of those who will come after us.
I make my own the words of Archbishops Nichols and Smith in their statement: “We
urge everyone who cares about upholding the meaning of marriage in civil law to
make their views known to their MPs clearly, calmly and forcefully, and without
impugning the motives of others. We urge all parties to ensure their Members
have a free vote. It is not too late to stop this Bill.”
+Michael G Campbell OSA,
Bishop of Lancaster
12-12
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