New archbishop in warning over hate-crime laws

Senior reporter

Wednesday 25 July 2012

THE new Archbishop of Glasgow has warned that religious leaders run the risk of falling foul of hate-crime laws over their stance on same-sex marriage.

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GERRY BRAIDEN

Philip Tartaglia, who was announced as the new Archbishop of Scotland's largest Catholic congregation yesterday, said he had received letters and emails accusing him of homophobia after his statements on gay marriage, adding that he believed religious freedom was now under threat from undemocratic and intolerant forces.

Bishop Tartaglia will formally take over from Archbishop Mario Conti, 78, pictured, early in September.Claiming it was an important time in relations between the Catholic Church and the Scottish Government as characterised by the same-sex marriage issue, the outgoing Bishop of Paisley added that he believed it possible he could face legal action over interpretation of his and the Church's position on the matter.He said: "I get letters and emails telling me I'm homophobic. I've made very moderate statements and gone out of my way not to offend, but I'm still classified as a bigot. Is it possible you could fall foul of the law? It has happened."But I'd hate to think that in preaching and teaching Catholic faith and vision we're a danger to anyone. "The same-sex marriage issue is very important to us, not because we want a fight with the Government but because we're concerned with our own religious freedom. Not freedom of worship, which is not under threat, but religious freedom in a more general sense. The freedom to preach, teach, to speak out about what we need to speak out about, especially in defence of marriage."These things are now considered to fall into the category of hate speech and I really think that's most unfortunate, undemocratic, and its intolerant and manipulative. It is putting on pressure and giving us cause for concern."But advocate and human rights expert Niall McCluskey dismissed Bishop Tartaglia's comments as "a ridiculous exaggeration" to reignite the debate, adding that only inciting congregations to abuse and attack gay people would see a churchman commit a hate crime.He said: "There's no danger of the Catholic Church's position becoming a hate crime. Religious freedom is protected under Article 9 of the Convention on Human Rights and the Catholic Church is entitled to hold its views and breach its message. The new legislation on gay marriage is designed to protect all those aspects where human rights are concerned."The 61-year-old bishop has been a leading opponent of proposals to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland. His comments, within minutes of the formal announcement, will not surprise observers of the Catholic Church in Scotland, with Archbishop-elect Tartaglia expected to assume an even higher profile in his defence of the Christian position on moral and political matters once installed.

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New archbishop in warning over hate-crime laws

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