Priest fired after holding service atoning for the ‘gross offence to God of Pride parade’
Glasgow Pride has taken place every year since 1996 (Robert Perry/Getty)
A university chaplain has been removed from his position after holding a service to atone for “the gross offence to God which is Pride Glasgow.”
Catholic priest Father Mark Morris was fired by Glasgow Caledonian University today (July 18) after authorities said that his views did not represent those of their institution.
On Sunday (July 15), Nicola Sturgeon became the first serving first minister or prime minister in the UK to lead a Pride event when she spearheaded Glasgow Pride.
Father Morris (R)
held a prayer service at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the north-east of the city (immaculate heart balornock)
Sturgeon, who was named honorary grand marshal, told thousands of attendees at the parade that she stood with Blair Wilson, the 21-year-old from East Renfrewshire who posted a defiant selfie after being attacked for being gay.
In response to the march, Morris held a prayer service at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the north-east of the city which sought “reparation for the gross offence to God which is Pride Glasgow.”
His university has acted swiftly, removing him from his role in the space of three days.
The priest “will not return to his chaplaincy role at the university in September” (glasgow caledonian university)
Pamela Gillies, Glasgow Caledonian University’s principal, said: “Following due consultation, Father Mark Morris will not return to his chaplaincy role at the university in September,” according to BBC News.
“The university will work with the Archdiocese of Glasgow to ensure the continued provision of chaplaincy support for staff and students at our faith and belief centre when the new term starts.
“The university is strongly inclusive and committed to supporting equality and diversity on campus.”
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: “The Archdiocese is aware of the University’s decision and will address the provision of chaplaincy support in due course.”
Sturgeon, who was wearing a T-shirt that read “Choose Love,” told the crowd on Sunday: “You all look amazing, you all look beautiful.
Thousands attended the parade (Robert Perry/Getty)
“You are an absolutely wonderful sight, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I am so proud to be here with all of you today.
“Scotland values tolerance, Scotland values diversity, Scotland values respect for all, and above all Scotland values love,” she continued.
“These values that are so precious to us are values that are under threat all over the world, more than they have been in my lifetime, so it is important that here in Glasgow, in Scotland’s biggest city we reaffirm these principles and values of tolerance, diversity, love and respect and let the whole world hear them.”
Sturgeon told the crowd: “Scotland values love” (Twitter)
Sturgeon’s accepting words came just weeks after the Church of Scotland voted to redraft the church’s existing rules on same-sex marriage, potentially allowing gay people and lesbians to be married in their churches.
The proposed laws will now go to the legal questions committee of the General Assembly which has two years to respond to the vote, with a final report of the laws expected to be given in 2021.
Same-sex marriages in Scotland have already been conducted by the Scottish Episcopal Church, the first Anglican branch of Churches to do so in the UK.
