Cathal BarryChurch leaders have warned that a constitutional amendment to the meaning of marriage would have “profound implications” to the understanding of family and parenthood, and urged people to “reflect deeply” before casting their vote in the referendum in May.
Speaking on behalf of the Irish bishops, Archbishop Eamon Martin insisted that because marriage is of “fundamental importance” for children, mothers, fathers and society – “all of us need to reflect deeply before changing it”.
“We ask the people of Ireland to consider very carefully the profound implications which this constitutional amendment would have on the family environment and on our understanding of parenthood,” the Archbishop of Armagh said.
Union
Archbishop Eamon, who was speaking as the Irish bishops held their spring general meeting in Maynooth this week, confirmed the Church “cannot support an amendment to the Constitution which redefines marriage and effectively places the union of two men, or two women, on a par with the marriage relationship between a husband and wife which is open to the procreation of children”.
“We come to this debate believing that the union of a man and a woman in marriage, open to the procreation of children, is a gift from God who created us ‘male and female’.
“Reason also points to the truth about human sexuality that makes the relationship between a man and a woman unique.
“Mothers and fathers bring different, yet complementary gifts and strengths into a child’s life,” he said.
The Primate of All Ireland also raised a concern that if the amendment is passed, “it will become increasingly difficult to speak any longer in public about marriage as being between a man and a woman”.
“We respect the views of people who think differently to us, trusting that our sincerely held views, grounded in faith, will also be heard and respected,” the archbishop said.