Bishops call on NI politicians to reject Marriage Equality motion

Catholic Bishops have released a statement calling on politicians in the North to reject an Assembly motion on same-sex marriage.

The bishops - led by Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady - are asking MLAs not to "undermine the principle of equality" by applying it to what they describe as "two fundamentally different types of relationship".

They say that same-sex couples are already provided for by legislation in the North, and all people are equal in the eyes of God.

However, the bishops say they want marriage between women and men to be strengthened as a "unique and highly valued institution", and say the Marriage Equality motion should be rejected.