Two SNP activists giving the party a proverbial kicking in this week's edition of the Scottish Catholic Observer. Long time activists at that. One has resigned from the party after decades of campaigning for the cause of Scottish Independence. Hopefully, she will continue to do that outside the SNP.
There has been a lot of discussion on the standing of Catholics who vote for politicians who sit on the wrong side of the pro-life debate, and maybe in Scotland, wrongly in my opinion, this gay marriage legislation is in danger of becoming the new ballot box dilemma for Scottish Catholics.
Leaving aside the fact that the consultation was a shambles, the Scottish National Party is not the Catholic Church, and its politicians aren't elected to represent the views of the Church. No party does.
I do not expect the party to effect the doctrines of the Church with its secular mandate. If I did I wouldn't have waited for Gay Marriage legislation to throw my toys out of the pram, I would have done it when it buckled to the gay lobby on homosexual education material in our schools, or when it continued to recognise legalised abortions, or even any marriage outside the Church. On all these issues the party is equally at odds with the Church. All parties are.
Jings I could have thrown my support elsewhere when I first realised First Minister Alex Salmond had failed to sack his chauffeur sell his ministerial car and give the proceeds to the poor!
A Catholic who takes turns his back on any party because of policy being contrary to church teaching is well within his or her rights, but if they are to be consistent in their application of their religious standards into the political realm, then in the current climate it is likely they could not in good conscience vote for anyone at all.
It is right that the Catholic Church in Scotland has flexed its muscle on this issue, but that is not where we want Scottish Catholics to be either. Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and all that...
Although I agree with your main point -it can't be a simple matter of 'introduce gay marriage and we can't vote for you'- I think there is a bit more to the resentment against the SNP's stance than you give credit for.
ReplyDelete1) There was undoubtedly an attempt by the SNP to woo the Catholic vote and, specifically, the hierarchy. As a result, I think there is a justifiable sense of betrayal when, without much apparent thought as to the Catholic reaction, a measure is introduced which quite clearly was going to be highly problematic.
2) The appalling standard of debate on the whole same sex 'marriage' issue -and particularly the way that John Mason was savaged- does make me, personally, worry about the fitness of Scottish public culture for self-government. As the party of independence, the SNP is going to suffer from that worry. (And certainly the 'yes' vote for independence is going to suffer.)
3) And beyond all those reasons, there is a simple emotional reaction. I'm sick of being called a bigot and, at the moment, I'd heartily wish a plague on all their (parties')houses. I'll have to try to think my way out of this before the referendum, but I can understand why the party which needs the most emotional energy, because it is suggesting the most radical constitutional reform, is going to suffer particularly from this nausea.
Lazarus
ReplyDeleteI dont think I have under-estimated the resentment at all. I am trying to cope with it myself. I live in a staunchly Presbyterian area which is equally miffed. (A Free Church minister called in to defend the Catholic Church on Call Kay this morning BBC Radio Scotland). There isn't a week that goes past at the moment where I am not having to listen to the evidence of the resentment of lets call it "conservative Christianity."
However, with all due respect, when I read comments questioning "the fitness of Scottish Public culture for self-government" the nationalist alarm bells hardened over decades against such absurd normally pro-Unionist conditioning begin to ring.
I am not questioning your ability to be impartial in the referendum at all, or the validity of your anger, but please dont go down the "we're not up to it" path.
As I say, your anger and sense of betrayal is palpable and I agree mostly justified but please..