Leader of the Catholic church attacks government's 'Orwellian' plans for gay marriage

Daniel Martin
Daily Mail (UK)
Dec. 25, 2012

The most senior Roman Catholic in England and Wales has lambasted the Prime Minister for his ‘un-democratic’ and ‘Orwellian’ plans to legalise gay marriage. Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols said the proposals were a ‘shambles’, and accused David Cameron of pushing through the changes without a mandate. In his Christmas Eve sermon at Westminster Cathedral, he said that only marriage between a man and a woman shares in ‘the creative love of God’.

The criticism follows that of the Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Davies, who used his Christmas homily to liken moves to legalise same-sex marriage to the way Nazis and Communists tried to undermine religion.

Mr Cameron wants to allow gay couples to get married in churches but he says religious organisations will be able to opt out.

Archbishop Nichols criticised successive governments for failing to stand up for marriage and promoting sex before marriage instead.

In an interview with the BBC, he attacked parties who were promoting same-sex marriage, saying the plan was ‘Orwellian’ because there was no mandate from the public. ‘From a democratic point of view, it’s a shambles,’ he said. ‘George Orwell would be proud of the manoeuvre. I think the process is shambolic.’

The Archbishop’s comments come despite the fact polls show the public is largely in favour of allowing gay couples to marry.

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