Catholic church steps up gay marriage opposition

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and Archbishop Peter Smith, the Archbishop of Southwark, say Catholics have a “duty to do all we can to ensure that the true meaning of marriage is not lost for future generations”.

Changing the legal definition of marriage would be a “profoundly radical step”, they warn, and would strip the union of its “distinctive nature.”

It would reduce it to just the commitment of the two people involved, without recognising the intention of procreation and the education of children, the letter says.

“Changing the legal definition of marriage would be a profoundly radical step,” the Archbishops say. “Its consequences should be taken seriously now.

“The law helps to shape and form social and cultural values. A change in the law would gradually and inevitably transform society’s understanding of the purpose of marriage.

“It would reduce it just to the commitment of the two people involved. There would be no recognition of the complementarity of male and female or that marriage is intended for the procreation and education of children.

“We have a duty to married people today, and to those who come after us, to do all we can to ensure that the true meaning of marriage is not lost for future generations.”

The letter argues that the roots of marriage lie in human nature and the pattern of “complementarity and fertility” in the union are affirmed by many other religious traditions.

It says: “Neither the Church nor the State has the power to change this fundamental understanding of marriage itself.”

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And it insists that same-sex couples are not unfairly discriminated against under the current law.

“The reasons given by our government for wanting to change the definition of marriage are those of equality and discrimination,” the Archbishops write.

“But our present law does not discriminate unjustly when it requires both a man and a woman for marriage. It simply recognises and protects the distinctive nature of marriage.”

Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman has said in response: “The Government has made clear its commitment to equality. We believe people should have the option of civil marriage, irrespective of sexual orientation.”