Archbishop warns gay marriage will weaken marriage in Britain

British PM David Cameron’s plan to legalise gay marriage will weaken marriage as an institution at the heart of British society, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said.

Nichols said at a news conference that Cameron wants to “annex the institution of marriage” for homosexuals.

Nichols said he respects Cameron’s desire to encourage equality and committed gay relationships.

“I respect the Prime Minister’s insistence and emphasis on the importance of equality in relationships and the vital importance of commitment. Those are things that we recognise as very important to the health of society.

“But commitment plus equality does not equal marriage and the distinctive nature of marriage is something that is very important to the well-being of society because it is the foundation of family life as we know it and as it experienced by the vast majority of people.”

Civil partnerships have been legal in Britain since 2005. Under Cameron’s plan, gay couples would be allowed to hold partnership ceremonies in religious facilities starting next year and a commission would study changing the law to allow marriage.

The prime minister, who is head of the Conservative Party, argues Conservatives should support homosexuals seeking more stable relationships.

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