25/12/2012 BBC News

The most outspoken attack yet on gay marriage, from the leader of

the Catholic church in England and Wales. Vincent Nichols calls the

proposals "a shambles", and says the Government has no mandate for

them. The Queen overcomes a cold, to

attend the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.

And the actor Jack Klugman, famous The leader of the Roman Catholic

Church in England and Wales has used his Christmas message to make

his most outspoken attack yet on the Government's proposals to

introduce gay marriage. The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent

Nichols, said the process had been undemocratic and shambolic. Our

religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott reports.

With carols, candles and Holy Communion. Roman Catholics at

Westminster Cathedral heralded the coming of Christmas. The Church's

leader in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, told

them Christmas was a reminder human lives could be raised to an

entirely new realm. But, he claimed, this Christmas, the Christian ideal

of marriage was under threat. He accused the Government of behaving

in an Orwellian fashion. Using undemocratic means to create a new

sham version of marriage. Frankly, the process is shambolic. There was

no announcement in any party manifesto. No green paper. No

statement in the Queen's Speech. Here we are, on the verge of

primary legislation. From a democratic point of view, it is a

shambles. His strongest attack on the

Government's plans for gay marriage. Real anger in his passionate

criticism of the Government's plans. And a call to Catholics to join in

a political struggle against them. In his final sermon as Archbishop

of Canterbury, Rowan Williams will acknowledge the Church of England

lost credibility by voting not to create women bishops. He said

secularists were delighted by a decline in the number of people

identifying themselves as Christians. But he claimed, despite

Christianity making difficult demands, six in 10 people still

Diffin Rome, Pope Benedict wished a crowd of thousands a happy

Christmas in 65 languages. He called for an end to the bloodshed

in Syria, conflict he said on innocent victims. A message to

China which disputes the Vatican's right to ordain priests, he asked

for the new leaders to a steam and the religion among their people. --

esteem. The Queen is celebrating Christmas at Sandringham.

This morning, she attended a church service, along with Prince Philip

and other members of the Royal Family. But this year's festivities

will be quieter than usual, because Prince William is spending the day

with his wife's family in Berkshire. Our royal correspondent, Luisa

Baldini, is here. Despite having a heavy cold, the Queen is there.

had missed the church service on Sunday, she had been suffering from

the tail-end of a cold. She is up and about today. And she appears

quite cheerful. Christmas Day is a special time for the Royal Family

every year, particularly significant this year, coming at

the end of her Diamond Jubilee. And because Prince Philip is at her

side this Christmas. This time last year, he was in hospital after

being treated for a blocked coronary artery. He has been in

hospital twice this year. Unusually, the Duke of Cambridge will not be

at Sandringham, he and the Duchess of Cambridge will spend the day

with the Middleton family in Berkshire. They have had the

Queen's blessing to be absent. The Duchess of Cambridge has been

suffering severe morning sickness. They will visit Sandringham over

the Christmas period. Prince Harry will be absent, serving in

Afghanistan. Every soldier serving in

Afghanistan will receive a traditional Christmas meal today,

after a huge logistical effort. Around 9,000 troops are deployed in

the country, and officers say they're determined to make the most

of the season. Our defence correspondent Jonathan Beale has

more. In Afghanistan, Santa makes his

deliveries by military helicopter. Loaded with mail and presents for

loved ones on the frontline, in remote bases across Helmand. As

well as getting on with their everyday tasks, there has been time

to make austere camps feel like home. Making decorations, to get

into the Christmas spirit. Although it is not the same. I am a home

bird. I like being at home with my mum and family. What will you miss

most about Christmas here? Probably sat on my sofa, eating, opening my

presents. Do do does parcels have reached the front line. A boost to

morale. As is the traditional Christmas dinner. Here, accompanied

by a choir. Here, comrades have become their immediate family.

Outside, the reason why they are still here, to bring some semblance

of stability to Afghanistan. That threat has not gone away, 46

British troops have lost their lives this year. We are always very

aware of the costs along the way, friends we have lost. Behind the

smiles, there is remembrance, a twinge of sadness that for a lot of

people Christmas will not be good this year. It might be Christmas

but for many British troops, it is like any other day. This patrol

going off to train the Afghan police. It will soon be left to

them, and within are too macro 150 flood warnings remain in place

over Britain. More heavy rain is forecast.

The veteran American actor Jack Klugman has died in Los Angeles, at

the age of 90. He rose to fame in the 1970s sitcom The Odd Couple,

and later played the lead role of Quincy. The tough crime-busting

pathologist. Tim Allman looks back at his life. For a generation of

viewers, he was one of the most recognisable faces on television.

As Oscar Madison, the slovenly, gruff sports writer. You can lose

little black books. I never thought I could lose a war. One half of The

Odd Couple. Then as Quincy. Gentlemen, you are about to enter

the most fascinating sphere of police work. A crusading coroner

with a knack for solving murders. Let me give you a lesson, in

anatomy. The thigh bone is connected to the knee bone. The

knee bone is connected to the shin bone. Stop it, Quincy. Born in

Philadelphia, the son of Russian immigrants, he studied acting at

college, after serving in the Second World War. He first made his

name on stage, before working in television and film. He starred

opposite Jack Lemmon in the Days of Wine and Roses, part of an all-star

cast in Twelve Angry Men. Please, I've played in backyards filled