LOUSIE HOSIE

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.

The bishop also pointed to changing attitudes, with Oscar-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen being honoured for his services to gay rights, while Oscar Wilde had been jailed for homosexuality 100 years ago.

His comments were made during the fourth of the Gonzaga Lectures held at St Aloysius' College in Glasgow on Tuesday. The bishop report-edly said: "The homosexual lobby has been extremely effective in aligning itself with minority groups.

"It is ever-present at the service each year for the Holocaust memorial, as if to create for themselves the image of a group of people under persecution. We neglect the gay movement at our peril."

He added that there was a "huge and well-orchestrated conspiracy" taking place, which the Catholic comm-unity had missed.

Bishop Devine's comments have been condemned by gay rights groups and Holocaust survivor organisations.

However, 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.

"With the issue of Sir Ian McKellen being celebrated and awarded, that is not to say he should not be. It is to point out how attitudes have changed."

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.

Lothians MSP George Foulkes has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament over the bishop's "unfortunate, outdated and unchristian remarks". The motion calls on the Parliament to "tackle prejudice in all its forms" and acknowledge the right of the gay community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.