No vote calls to include religion

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said public debate around major social issues at times reduced faith in Jesus Christ to the level of belief in leprechauns.

Dr Martin also accused some yes voters in the run-up to the marriage equality referendum of selectively using Catholic Church statements to back their cause while also stating that religion had no place in the debate.

“I find it interesting that many of those supporting the yes campaign object to the use of religious language but they are not shy in quoting Pope Francis in support of their arguments, although I feel that their knowledge of Pope Francis’s repertoire is somewhat restricted,” Dr Martin said