Colm Fitzpatrick
Almost 70% of respondents on The Irish Catholic Facebook page believe that the Irish presidential inauguration ceremony should no longer have a religious nature and instead become secular.
The results come in the wake of a poll which said: “Michael D. Higgins has been inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland. The event started with a religious ceremony including prayers and a blessing from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and other faith leaders.
“Given the radical difference now between Church and State on issues like the family, marriage and the right to life, should the ceremony continue to be religious in nature or is it time for a clean break and a secular ceremony?”
67% of respondents, which represents around 870 people of the 1,300 polled, said the ceremony should be secular. Only 33% of respondents, which represents about 430 people, said the ceremony should be kept religious.
Agreeing that it should be secular, one commenter said: “It’s an inauguration, not a wedding. Another event where a priest or bishop should not be allowed to attend.”
However, another remarked: “Keep the prayers for the Office of the President. He is representing our country – that is above his personal beliefs.”