Sex and Sectarianism

The Bishop of Paisley - Philip Tartaglia - whom I have never heard of before - has for some reason waded into the debate about same sex marriage and sectarianism in Scottish football.

According to press reports the good bishop has warned Scotland First Minister - Alex Salmond - that his government's handling of these issues could lead to him losing the confidence of the Catholic Church.

Now I don't have any problem with church leaders getting involved in poltiical debates - but if they do - they deserve to be treated the same way as everybody else.

And what I don't understand are the reasons for what the bishop is saying - what evidence is he praying in aid - and where does his expertise in this area come from exactly?

I find it hard to believe that the bishop has done much walking around the streets of Glasgow - in the aftermath of an Old Firm football game.

Yet the bishop apparently believes that the new legislation on football sectarianism is a 'distraction' - that the police should simply use their existing powers to deal with such behaviour.

Despite the fact that the Scottish police and Scotland's top legal officer - are advising the government that existing powers are not enough.

Both say that  additional measures are needed to bear down on the problem and over time - eliminate the scourge of sectarianism from the Scottish game.

The bishop has also criticised the Scottish government over same sex marriage.

On the very same day as the UK Prime Minister - David Cameron - said he supported the right of same sex couples to marry - and threw the full weight of the Conservative Party behind their right to equal treatment under the law.

David Cameron declared the most important issue to be the 'commitment' involved in couples getting married - not their gender.

If the Catholic Church wants to ban same sex marriage then it's free to do so - but why should it try and foist the church's views on everyone else?

If the bishop is going to use his position in the church to support one side of an argument in a political debate - then let him come out and do so openly.

In a setting where his opinions can be challenged and tested - in the same way as a politician's views would be put under proper scrutiny.

I can imagine the reaction if the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police - told the bishop how to care for his 'flock' - but the same thing is happening in reverse in terms of  public order on our streets. 

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