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Bishop Devine stands by gay 'conspiracy' views despite wave of criticism

A Catholic bishop yesterday in the face of protests confirmed his opinion that the gay community had launched a "conspiracy" against Christian tradition.

Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Devine said there was a "gay lobby" which had purposely aligned itself with minority groups, including Holocaust survivors, to make it appear they were persecuted.

Yesterday, Bishop Devine remained firm in the face of the criticism. "These groups are defending their position, I am defending mine," he said.

"The homosexual lobby has identified itself with people who have gone through dreadful persecution - the impression is that they have been equally persecuted.

"It is all about a lifestyle alien to the Christian tradition. There is a giant conspiracy against Christian values, an agenda here. I stand by what I said." A spokesman for the Church said Bishop Devine's comments supported their views. "The issue of the Holocaust Memorial was really to suggest that in the last 30 years social attitudes to homosexuality have changed very dramatically," he added.

"He is making the point that it is really not appropriate for homosexuals to compare themselves with the people who suffered during the Holocaust or give the impression there is any similarity. It is of a different magnitude and it is quite wrong to suggest it is the same."

The spokesman added that there had been huge changes in legislation over the past 10 years, including the legalisation of civil partnerships. Many of these changes, he said, had been brought about by "very vociferous lobbying" by homosexual groups.

Full story at The Herald.