CARDINAL Keith O’Brien, the leader of Scotland’s Roman Catholics, has launched an attack on “state sponsored sectarian discrimination” which he claimed doomed to failure government attempts to tackle bigotry in Scottish society.

The cardinal called for the abolition of the 300-year-old Act of Settlement, which prevents Roman Catholics or those who marry them from ascending to the throne. He asserted that bigotry would remain a major problem until that change occured.

His attack coincided with the launch by Glasgow Rangers Football Club of a high-profile “Pride Over Prejudice” initiative, which the club hopes will eradicate the ugly, anti-Catholic chants favoured by some supporters at games.

Cardinal O’Brien said: “Our constitution contains legislation which describes my faith as ‘the popish religion’ and defines me and my co-religionists as ‘papists’.

“That this arcanely offensive language enjoys legal sanction is outrageous. Anyone who seriously believes that introducing legislation aimed at eradicating sectarian attacks, which are often verbal, while elements of the very lexicon of hate they seek to abolish remain on our statute books, is indulging in wilful ignorance.”

The cardinal also fired a shot across the bows of Jack McConnell, the First Minister, calling on him to use his influence to bring about a change in the law.

The debate was opened up seven years ago when James McMillan, the Scottish Catholic composer, used an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival to claim that sectarianism was “Scotland’s shame”, a term later adopted by Mr McConnell. Yesterday Mr McMillan said he believed that matters had improved since his speech in 1999.

On Saturday Rangers supporters at the home game against Dundee United were issued with copies of the Wee Blue Book, containing the lyrics of non-sectarian songs approved by the club and fans.

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