Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug 20, 2012 / 15:32 pm
Cardinal Keith P. O'Brien has broken-off direct talks with the Scottish government in protest over their decision to back "same-sex marriage."
"The Cardinal wants to maintain a dialogue with the Scottish government but that can be difficult when you feel that everything you have had to say, to date at least, has been completely ignored," Peter Kearney, spokesman for Cardinal O'Brien, told CNA Aug. 20.
The cardinal's actions follow the Scottish government's move last month to legislate for "same-sex marriage," despite nearly two-thirds of those who responded to their official consultation being against the initiative. In total, 64 percent of the 77,508 who replied said they did not want marriage redefined.
Meanwhile, Cardinal O'Brien's subsequent call for a referendum on the issue was also quickly dismissed by the Edinburgh administration. He has now told the Scottish government that any future discussions on the matter should take place between officials.