Marriage referendum at whim of political caucus

The guide on the Marriage Equality Referendum published by Young Fine Gael advises the proposition ‘will not affect children, or their rights in any way, shape or form’; that marriage is a unique legal status; that religious marriage is ‘a ceremony in a church’ but legally binding civil marriage has nothing to do with religion.

Minister Coveney subsequently recognised the electorate needs ‘reassurance’ and ‘honest explanations’, as he exhorted his parliamentary colleagues to secure a ‘yes’ vote.

It is likely that the elements of the electorate who need ‘reassurance’ solemnly and with humility and trust entered into the ancient institution of matrimony through a sacrament celebrated at an altar before God. Perhaps with the intention of having children to whom each of the couple would be known as mammy and daddy.

No caveats were put to them, or opinion polls to cajole them, to suggest the basis of their marriage contract would be fundamentally altered at the whim of a political caucus for whom concepts of ‘fairness’ and ‘equality’ trump all other considerations or that their marriage ought to have parity of esteem with other forms of human engagement.

When will Fine Gael provide ‘reassurances’ in leadership and judgement if the party expects a skeptical electorate to abandon their embedded personal values in exchange for the group-think of a political caucus?

The Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil websites are ominously silent on both forthcoming referenda.

Myles Duffy

Glenageary

Co Dublin