Bishops: Reflect deeply before voting

Irish Catholic bishops have appealed to people voting in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum to “reflect deeply” on the impact of their decision.

A statement, issued on the second day of the spring meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, outlines opposition to the proposed amendment, claiming: “We are concerned that, should the amendment be passed, it will become increasingly difficult to speak any longer in public about marriage as being between a man and a woman.”

The statement came as Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin described comments from Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran on homosexuality as “unfortunate”.