Bishop Dennis McNulty (right).
Photo John Mc Elroy. Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland have stated Accord should not have to provide marriage related services to those contracting in same-sex marriage.
Accord told this paper (IC 13/02/20) that they would not turn away any person from their counselling services if they came to seek help.
The bishop’s response to the Northern Ireland Office Consultation on same-sex religious marriage stated that they wish for pastoral care providing marriage support to be “covered by the principle that no religious body, or person acting on behalf of such bodies, should be compelled to undertake activities relating to same-sex marriage”.
Requirements
Bishop Denis McNulty, president of Accord Catholic Marriage Care, when asked if funding had been affected by Tusla equality requirements said: “In preparation courses it’s sacramental marriage but in counselling if somebody needs support, Accord will welcome people, its non-judgementally done, we accommodate people in where they’re coming from.”
The Bishops in Northern Ireland feel that protection should be granted legally for individual minsters, those mandated by the Church and pastoral organisations such as Accord so they are“not to be compelled to provide marriage preparation, relationship counselling or other marriage related services in respect of those contracting same-sex marriage, should they believe it is inconsistent with their religious belief to do so.”
Discrimination
Tusla continue to fund marriage counselling for Accord significantly. Tusla is required to “commission in a manner that promotes equality, prevents discrimination and protects human rights in line with its Public Sector Duty”. Under this falls the responsibility to accept same sex couples
Mary Johnson, specialist in counselling with Accord said on the topic of falling in line with equality requirements: “We do see all kinds of couples who need relationship support.”
The bishops also said: “We would also ask that explicit provision be made that would protect such faith-based organisations, which provide valued and highly effective pastoral services in support of marriage and the family, from being discriminated against in access to public funds because of their beliefs in respect of same-sex marriage.”