THE leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland was condemned last night for describing homosexuals as "captives of sexual aberrations" in a Christmas message to MSPs.
Speaking during yesterday's Time forReflection at the Scottish Parliament, Cardinal Keith O'Brien compared gays and lesbians to prisoners in Saughton jail.
Recounting a recent visit to the Edinburgh jail, he said Jesus had brought good news to those trapped by poverty, liberty to captives, and freedom to those in prison.
He added: "There are so many in our communities who are captives - captives of drink, of drugs, of sexual aberrations."
A spokesman for the church confirmed it was a direct reference to homosexuals.
Patrick Harvie, the bisexual Green MSP for Glasgow, said he deeply regretted the cardinal had used his message to offend a large part of the population: "I would say people who make a commitment to celibacy which has no rhyme nor reason are more trapped by sexual aberration than I am.
And they're probably suffering for it a lot more than I am for being bisexual."
Rosie Kane, Scottish Socialist MSP for Glasgow, accused the cardinal of homophobia.
She said: "It is utterly shameful that a religious leader should refer to members of our community in this way."
A spokesman for the church said the cardinal originally intended to refer to captives of sexual addiction but changed it at the last minute to sexual aberration.
"It's not exactly a surprise if a Catholic church leader comes out and says homosexuality is a sexual aberration.
"I don't think anyone could claim to be surprised or shocked by his remarks - they're Catholic viewpoints."
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