A sacramental state

I WISH to support the intervention by the Catholic hierarchy concerning the proposed civil partnership bill.

Despite strong criticism from certain government spokespeople, the Irish bishops are quite within their rights to give pastoral advice when an issue of morality is involved.

It is also important to distinguish matrimony, which is a sacramental state between a man and a woman from other types of unions which are not. As matters stand it is possible for people of any status to hold property jointly, bequeath or otherwise dispose of property as they see fit and to nominate persons to sign medical forms should the need arise.