“I’m just not ready for that kind of commitment”, said Cardinal Keith O’Brien yesterday as he announced his controversial rejection of life partner Stephen Codrington’s proposal of marriage. The Head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, who is known for his strident pro-marriage views, went onto explain that although he was, in principle, in favour of marriage, he “simply did not feel, in my heart of hearts, that I am ready to make that kind of bond with Stephen.”
Accepting Stephen’s proposal would, he said, fundamentally and irrevocably undermine the institution of marriage in the UK, adding that although he was “deeply in love with" Codrington, he remains "personally, just not the marrying type.”
Although he acknowledged his opinion to be controversial, he refused to apologise, saying the decision was one of principle and must be maintained, no matter how much hurt might be caused, for instance to his “soul and light, Stephen”.