Cardinal Keith O’Brien, former SNP leader Gordon Wilson, and Ann Allen of the Church of Scotland have defended traditional marriage in a rally outside the Scottish Parliament today.

The rally coincided with the launch of a new campaign group, Scotland for Marriage, to uphold the current legal definition of marriage and resist government plans to change the definition to include same-sex unions.

Although the campaign group is supported by church groups, it is non-religious and people of all faiths and none are being invited to support its objectives.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “As an institution, marriage long predates the existence of any state or government. It was not created by government and should not be changed by them.

"Instead, recognising the innumerable benefits which marriage brings to society they should act to protect and uphold it not attack or dismantle it."

He expressed concern that the debate about marriage had "completely lost or ignored" the needs of children.

"All children deserve to begin life with a mother and father, the evidence in favour of the stability and well being which this provides is overwhelming and unequivocal," he said.

The cardinal was joined by Mr Wilson and Ms Allen in calling for a referendum on the issue.

They signed a petition asking that the current definition of marriage be retained.

Ms Allen, former Convener of the Kirk's Board of Social Responsibility, echoed the cardinal's concerns about children.

“I’m confused as to why with so many pressing issues confronting us today in Scotland, our government has chosen to prioritise time, effort, and money on this particular issue. Canada legalised same sex marriage in 2005 and today faces challenges to have polygamy legalised.

"Is this what we want for a modern Scotland: a continual changing of moral and legal goalposts?

"As a former teacher I am concerned that children are going to be taught that same sex partnerships and traditional marriage are the same, which they are not. If the redefining of marriage goes ahead it will have far reaching consequences and as far as I can see none of them are positive.”

Half page ads are running in the Daily Record, The Herald and The Scotsman newspapers today announcing the launch of the new campaign group and encouraging people to sign the petition.

In addition, the Catholic Church will deliver around 20,000 postcards to the Scottish Parliament signed by Scots who do not want marriage to be redefined.

Mr Wilson said: “If the Scottish Government wants the Scottish people to vote for independence in a referendum, why is it going out of its way to alienate so many Scots in the Christian and Muslim communities?

"As a veteran, it is obvious to me the Government is in a political hole. My advice is simple. Forget about the ‘done deal’ with the Tory/Liberal coalition in London. They are not on your side. Scotland is not London. As you will find, Scotland is for marriage.”



The petition can be signed online at www.scotlandformarriage.org