Vote should reflect the lives we lead - Marriage equality

DURING an interview given in advance of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference by the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran to Newstalk radio yesterday, the Catholic Church’s uncompromising opposition to the idea of same-sex marriage was expressed with an unblinking calm that suggested there can be no compromise on the issue between the Catholic status quo and those who wish to see our Constitution changed to better reflect the reality of the lives we lead.

The only logical conclusion that can be reached following Bishop Doran’s interview is that Catholicism still demands that religious strictures and constructs be given precedence over any civil legislative measures that would accurately reflect the very changed world we all have to try to live in, in harmony and with mutual respect for all of those around us.

Bishop Doran is of course absolutely entitled to express his and his Church’s position — he is in reality obliged to do so — but he undermines that great privilege when he uses it to suggest that others who live their lives to the beat of different drum are in some way less, in some way different and are not as entitled to the protections and rights this society can offer through legislation.