The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has launched a fresh attack on Government plans for same-sex marriages.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien described marriage between couples of the same sex as an “aberration” which would lead society even further into “immorality”. His latest onslaught comes as ministers are preparing to launch a consultation on the introduction of same-sex marriages. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, the Cardinal yesterday said it would be the “thin end of the wedge”, comparing it to the legalisation of abortion in 1967.

“Further aberrations would be taking place and society would be degenerating even further than it has into immorality,” he said, adding, “It is changing the whole notion of what marriage and what a family is. Children have the right to have a mother and a father.”

The Cardinal said change would take the accepted definition of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman and turn it on its head.

“I am simply handing on the teaching of the Christian church for over 2,000 years since Christ was on Earth,” he said.

“It is quite simply natural for a man and a woman to be together for the procreation and education of children and for their own mutual love.”

He added: “I think if the UK does go for and support same-sex marriage it is indeed shaming our country.”

Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman said: “The Government has made clear its commitment to equality. We believe people should have the option of civil marriage, irrespective of sexual orientation.”

The PM’s spokesman later said that the timing of the consultation had been chosen to allow legislation to be taken through Parliament before the general election planned for 2015.

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