I was delighted to attend the First Catholic Assembly of Parent Councils in Carfin at the weekend as both the mother of four and a primary headteacher.
I think such an assembly has the potential for greatness and I was heartened that the church and the Scottish Government valued it enough to send such a high calibre of representatives.
I enjoyed listening to Cardinal Keith O'Brien talk on parents and teaching and on the need for our children to be raised in love. The lively discussion that took place among parents was a very strong indication of the commitment to a Catholic upbringing for our children.
At mass in my home parish I listened to the writings of St Paul on marriage. The mirth with which our congregation responded to the Gospel was an indication that St Paul was writing his views in his time and that these are no longer the views of the Catholic population.
Cardinal O'Brien quoted Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
It is that which prompted me to write.
As a committed member of the Catholic congregation I agree wholeheartedly that marriage is the best environment for raising children. I believe that it is the union of one soul to another to the exclusion of all others and that this applies to same-sex relationships. I do not agree with the letter read out in 500 parishes on Sunday.
It does not make sense to me that our loving Father who made each individual in the image and likeness of God would want anything less because he made some of his homosexual.
I want to live and raise my family in an inclusive country informed by an inclusive faith, a faith that celebrates love and not simply one's sex.
I consider that the thinking of the Church at this time is like St Paul ... of a time and that to use another famous quote " the times they are a changing".
In my church we sang Bind Us Together, Lord. I urge Cardinal O'Brien and the Scottish Government to continue to engage in talks.
I urge the First Minister to ensure that Scotland, a proud nation, provides equality of opportunity for all of its citizens and that he moves our country forward with courage. I urge all people of faith to pray for them and for their leadership.
Caroline A Campbell,
19 Busheyhill Street,
Cambuslang.
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