16 July 2012
Last updated at 05:43 ET

Cardinal O’Brien has been an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage

Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic has urged the Scottish government to hold a referendum on proposals to legalise same-sex marriage.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien said a vote should be held because of intense public interest in the issue.

Gay rights campaigners said a referendum would be a waste of money.

Scots ministers, who favour same-sex marriage, are to announce legislation this week after their consultation resulted in 80,000 responses.

Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships and the Holyrood government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold gay weddings in churches.

The issue has ignited a debate between gay rights supporters and the Catholic Church, which is strongly opposed to same-sex marriage.

Cardinal O’Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said the marriage consultation received three times more responses than the government’s consultation on the independence referendum, which saw more than 26,000 people share their views.

Gay rights campaigners staged a mock wedding outside Holyrood last week

“Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage,” he said, adding: “It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue.

“Let all those who have a view on this subject place their trust in the Scottish people and let Scotland decide.”

Cardinal O’Brien has already authorised a plan to raise £100,000 through special church collections to support the Scotland For Marriage campaign against same-sex marriage.

But LGBT charity The Equality Network said a referendum would result in the “Americanisation” of Scottish politics, with

This article originally appeared on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18847588