Catholic bishops have poor record on marriage

Your report (Irish Examiner, April 3) headlined Christians “often suffer ridicule or persecution” because of their beliefs on marriage, and attributed to Archbishop Eamon Martin, is only half-true.

As a faith organisation we agree with Archbishop Martin that “Christian convictions can bring upon us ridicule” but we understand why this can be so.

The track record of pronouncements on marriage by Irish Catholic bishops has been lamentable – opposing mixed Catholic-Protestant couples, refusing Holy Communion to divorced couples, condemning the use of contraception by married couples, denying the love of same-sex couples.

No wonder more and more people are so unimpressed by such un-Christ-like behaviour. We respectfully disagree with the claim by Archbishop Martin that conservative Christians are persecuted for their beliefs on marriage.

If the archbishop simply preached the core values of love and inclusion that inform marriage he might be surprised at the reduction in ridicule and of the persecution complex. A growing number of ordinary people of faith are discovering this and are living in peace and harmony with their neighbours.

Dr Richard O’Leary

Faith in Marriage Equality

Hanover Court

Francis St, Dublin 8