T H U R S DAY 13 MARCH 20 0 8 THE SCOTSMAN NEWS 7 Catholic bishop hits out at gay conspiracy to destroy values preached by Christianity

ONE of Scotlands most senior TRISTAN STEWART-ROBERTSON Catholics has launched an attack on the “gay lobby” in Scotland, O U T S P O K E N claiming there is a “huge and orchestrated conspiracy taking C H U R C H M A N well-orchestrated conspiracy” place, which the Catholic com- against Christian values. munity missed.” THE Rt Rev Joseph Devine The Rt Rev Joseph Devine, He went on: “In this New Years is no stranger to and pre- honours list, I saw actor Ian Mc- controversy. sident of the Catholic Education Kellen being honoured for his Last year, he dealt a blow Commission, said gay rights or- work on behalf of homosexuals, to Labour’s hopes in the ganisations aligned themselves when a century ago Oscar Wilde Holyrood elections by saying with minority groups, such as was locked up and put in jail. “Its he would not be voting for Holocaust survivors, to project a very small group of people, but the party on religious an “image of a group of people very active and organised – and grounds, as it had a “morality under persecution”. extremely indulgent. The oppo- devoid of any Christian He warned that the gay lobby sition know exactly what theyre principles”. – which he labelled “the opposi- doing. We dont.” He had previously branded tion” – had mounted “a giant con- Calum Irving, the director of the Labour administration spiracy” to shape public policy. Stonewall Scotland, said the as “moral vandals” He singled out the actor Sir Ian bishop was “deluded”, pointing and “politically correct McKellen, who was given a New out that the had zealots”. Year honour for services to gay much greater wealth and politi- The year before, he rights, pointing out that Oscar cal influence than the gay rights became embroiled in a row Wilde was locked up only a lobby. He said: “So Bishop Devine with other senior figures in century ago for homosexual acts. has decided its time to have a go the Catholic Church after The bishop said he would “not at lesbian and gay people again. condemning the actions tolerate” the “behaviour” of a “Im flattered that the bishop of a senior Church aide who, child struggling to come to thinks we could mount a huge he claimed, had failed to terms with his or her homo- and well-orchestrated conspir- express opposition to acy, but he is much deluded. plans to let gay couples “We neglect the After all, which lobby really adopt. has the greater resources and In an unprecedented gay movement at political access? move, the Church’s two our peril” “Such a continued attack on most senior clerics, Bishop of Motherwell gay people is distinctly unChris- Cardinal Keith O’Brien and tian and deeply out of step with Archbishop , sexuality. Last night his views the views of most Scots today. moved publicly to rebuff were attacked by gay rights There is no war on Christianity Bishop Devine by releasing a groups, which branded them – just the bishops own fevered public statement backing the “unChristian” and “deeply out paranoia . aide. of step” with the views of ordin- “I would defend the bishops Bishop Devine, left, Previously, he became ary Scots. right to practise his faith contrasted the personally involved in a row In the fourth of the Gonzaga and yet he would deny me treatment of actor with Jack McConnell, the Lectures held at St Aloysius basic dignity and respect. Sir Ian McKellen, former first minister, over College in on Tuesday, Worse, he appears to above, with that of plans for mixed-faith, Bishop Devine said: “The homo- hanker after an age when Oscar Wilde, top, who joint-campus schools in sexual lobby has been extremely Oscar Wilde was put in was jailed a century Lanarkshire. effective in aligning itself with jail for being gay. Worse ago minority groups. still, he seems to infer that “It is ever-present at the ser- gay people have no right vice each year for the Holocaust to be remembered as victims of for any parent. There are many replacing “truth and goodness” Sadly, its not that anymore. membering all victims: be they memorial, as if to create for the Holocaust.” days when Im glad to not be a as supreme moral values. Certainly in terms of leadership, Jewish, gypsy, gay or lesbian. themselves the image of a group After Bishop Devines lecture, parent. I would try to handle it Bishop Devine continued: “It the SNP are much more respon- “It is also about learning the of people under persecution. We entitled Sectarianism and Secu- with a degree of compassion, but was bound to result in state- sive to us.” lessons from the past, encourag- neglect the gay movement at larism: Bugbears for the I would not tolerate [it].” sponsored morality at war with He vowed to fight on against ing society to tackle all forms of our peril. Catholic Church in Scotland, Bishop Devine also cited the Christian values. We must resist the “forces of secularism”. He prejudice, such as antisemitism, “I want to ask you if you are one audience member asked battles over Clause 28, legalising being corrupted by secularism.” concluded his lecture stating: racism and homophobia.” able to see the giant conspiracy how Catholic parents should civil partnerships and same-sex Asked about how Christians “Like Mel Gibson, who said, Im A spokeswoman for Sir Ian thats taking place before our “come to terms with a childs mis- a dop t ion . could influence politics, he com- going to pick a fight, so am I.” McKellen said the actor was out eyes, even if we didnt see it at the sion to become homosexual”. He said prominence had been mented: “It was once thought A Holocaust Memorial Day of the country. time. I take it youre beginning to The bishop replied: “This given to the “supreme moral that the Labour Party was a Trust spokeswoman said: “Holo- see that there is a huge and well- must be a nightmare moment values of liberty and equality” Christian democratic party. caust Memorial Day is about re- COMMENT, PAGE 29

Tommy Sheridans wife questioned on 150 stolen miniatures claim

GAIL Sheridan, the wife of the ALASTAIR DALTON Several days before the theft newspaper at the Court of Last night, the couples lawyer ard and now as a senior cabin former Scottish Socialist Party allegations emerged last month, Session in Edinburgh. said Mrs Sheridan believes she is crew member.” leader Tommy Sheridan, was she was charged with perjury in Police have refused to com- the victim of police harassment. Mr Anwar said a procedural questioned by airline officials It is understood the meeting in connection with her husbands ment on claims the miniatures Aamer Anwar said the couple hearing had taken place yester- yesterday over claims she stole Glasgow was for preliminary “fact defamation case against the were found at the Sheridans were determined to prove their day, but no decision was likely to alcohol miniatures. finding” and BA has yet to decide News of the World two years Glasgow home by officers inves- innocence, adding: “Gail Sheri- be taken for several weeks as to Mrs Sheridan, who has been whether to call a disciplinary hear- a go. tigating perjury allegations. dan has a 23-year unblemished the next step. suspended from her cabin crew ing. Mrs Sheridan was yesterday Mr Sheridan was charged with Mrs Sheridan was reported to record with British Airways, Yesterday, BA would say only job with British Airways, was reported to have had 150 minia- perjury in December – around 16 have amassed a collection of whom she has represented as that a member of its cabin crew interviewed as part of the air- ture bottles in her home, report- months after he won his miniatures which she kept in a part of their promotional team, had been suspended as part of an lines disciplinary process. edly gifts from friends. £200,000 action against the glass display case in the house. as well as serving as a shop stew- ongoing investigation.