theuniverse

Sunday February 5, 2012 www.totalcatholic.com

Our publications reach more than 200,000 readers every week in the UK and Ireland

St Joseph’s show that they’re full of imagination

£1.30 €1.75

Hollyoaksto prison life for talented Rigby Page 17

Children from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, London, unveil the ‘Start Imagining’ campaign, an initiative inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London. The programme is aimed at primary and secondary schools and stimulates young people to create arts and crafts from scrap and reclaimed materials, to encourage the promotion of a sustainable life.

Church: Politicians must not ‘redefine marriage’

By Brendan Jennings

The Catholic Church in Scotland has criticised opposition leaders for “joining the bandwagon for redefining marriage”.

John Deighan, the Church’s parliamentary expert, was commenting after the four leaders of the Scottish Parliament’s opposition parties all signed a so-called Equal Marriage Pledge, putting pressure on the

SNP-led Scottish Government to legally change the marriage definition to include same sex couples.

New Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont described herself as “delighted” with the campaign, while the Lib Dems’ Willie Rennie claimed it was “fair and progressive”.

The Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie said same-sex marriage was “a vital signal” while the new Conservative and Unionist leader Ruth

Davidson, suggested it would create a “more equal society”.

But Mr Deighan said: “It is disappointing that party leaders have been so cavalier in joining the bandwagon for redefining marriage. We deserve a more reflective approach from those in a position of leadership.

“Marriage is essentially linked with recognising and supporting the roles of mother and father.

“There is a lack of real tolerance when that view is sweepingly likened to a form of discrimination or bigotry. This is of course an attempt to win a political position by intimidation rather than by coherence of argument. Mature democracy requires an ability to sympathetically understand the views of others but sadly that is greatly lacking in the rhetoric banded about in this campaign.

■ Continued on page 2

Remembering the good times with Swayze Page 26

Follow The Universe Catholic Weekly on Twitter at twitter.com/CATHOLIC_MD

SpecialisingintheSciences,Appliedlearning,MathsandComputing

Tuesday 7th February 2012, 6.00 - 8.00pm for students seeking a place in September 2012

Please enter via the Sixth Form block in

Windermere Terrace, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L8 3SB

tel: 0151 727 2064