Shrewsbury bishop is against gay marriage plan

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury has launched a fierce defence of traditional values and opposed Government plans to legalise gay marriage.

The Right Reverend Mark Davies said the planned changes would represent 'nothing less than a seismic shift in the foundations of our society'.

The Government is preparing to launch a consultation on the proposals next month with a view to legalising civil marriage for gay couples before the next General Election in 2015.

Same-sex marriage is not currently legal in the UK, but since 2005 homosexual couples have been able to enter into legally-recognised civil partnerships.

But Bishop Davies has attacked the plans and said politicians did not have the authority to change the meaning of marriage.

He said: "For the first time in our history a government is proposing to change the meaning of marriage and to re-define its identity as the life-long union of one man and one woman.

"What the Government now proposes to legislate into law constitutes nothing less than a seismic shift in the foundations of our society. By attempting to redefine marriage for society, politicians will find they have not only undermined the institution of marriage but obscured its identity for generations to come.

"For politicians of Christian conscience this will be a moment to resist the leadership of their own political parties together with every parliamentarian who recognises the Judeo-Christian foundations on which our society rests. Our voices must now be raised as clearly as they can be, in order to proclaim the God-given meaning of marriage."

His comments were made in a homily given at St Wilfrid's Church in Northwich on Saturday. Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to consult on legalising gay marriage at the party conference in October.

"It's about equality, but it's also about something else – commitment. Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other," he said.

"So I don't support gay marriage despite being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I'm a Conservative."

See also:

• Gay marriage law change would alter Britain for the better