Cardinal Keith O'Brien criticized the Scottish government for failing to uphold traditional family values in his annual New Year’s Day address at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sunday, reported the Daily Telegraph.

The cardinal accused politicians of undermining the family as the most vital building block of society.

"When our lawmakers condone and endorse trends in society which are ultimately ruinous of family life we are entitled to question their motivation and condemn their behavior," he said, referring to same-sex unions.

The cardinal also criticized plans for new laws that would make divorce easier and quicker.

A series of civil unions took place in recent weeks, after a law was recently passed that gives same-sex couples the same rights as married couples.