Scotland's Health Secretary meets with Bishop of Paisley to discuss his gay marriage conerns

Scotland's Heath Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, has met with Phillip Tartaglia – Bishop of Paisley – to discuss the future of same-sex marriage.

Scotland's Heath Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, has met with Phillip Tartaglia – Bishop of Paisley – to discuss the future of same-sex marriage.

The meeting, which took place in Edinburgh, is the latest stage in a 14-week consultation on the issue by the Scottish government.

Previosuly, Tartaglia has campaigned fiercely against gay unions on religious premises, telling First Minister Alex Salmond that gay marriage is “wrong in principle” and is forever defined as between a man and a woman.

He also believes governments "do not have the authority to say what marriage is or to change its nature or to decree that people of the same sex can marry".

Despite this, Sturgeon said all views on the matter would be listened to.
Speaking tot the BBC after her meeting Tartaglia, Sturgeon said: "When I launched the consultation on same-sex marriage, I made clear that in addition to carefully considering the written responses, we intended to meet a wide range of organisations, including churches and faith groups.
"I also made clear that while ministers tend towards the initial view that same-sex marriage should be introduced, faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise same-sex marriage.
"We also gave an assurance that all views will be listened to, no final views have been reached and no decisions have been taken.
"I therefore welcome today's meeting with the Catholic Church which gave me an opportunity to hear the Church's views and concerns about the consultation, while also enabling me to repeat such assurances."