Leaders in the Roman Catholic Church have sounded the alarm over the Government's gay marriage plans
Over a thousand Roman Catholic priests have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage legislation in an open letter.
They warn in the letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, that their freedom to practise and speak publicly about their faith will be "severely limited" by the legalisation of gay marriage.
The priests fear a return to persecution and say that Government reassurances of protection for churches and Christians are "meaningless".
The priests write: “After centuries of persecution, Catholics have, in recent times, been able to be members of the professions and participate fully in the life of this country.
“Legislation for same sex marriage, should it be enacted, will have many legal consequences, severely restricting the ability of Catholics to teach the truth about marriage in their schools, charitable institutions or places of worship.
“It is meaningless to argue that Catholics and others may still teach their beliefs about marriage in schools and other arenas if they are also expected to uphold the opposite view at the same time.”
Read more here: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/priests.outline.gay.marriage.concerns/31437.htm
