Catholic bishops call for no votes in upcoming referenda

The bishops' group said the family amendment would diminish the importance of the relationship between marriage and family and weaken the incentive for young people to get married.

They also believe the care amendment would leave the contribution of mothers to the home and wider society unacknowledged.

In a statement read at masses around the country today, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference said: "We recognise, of course, that there are families in all our communities which are not founded on marriage.

"They form part of the reality of family life, which Pope Francis described as 'a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems.

"We believe, however, that the commitment of marriage contributes to the common good in a unique way, by bringing stability to the family and to society, and that it consequently deserves the protection of the State, which is currently guaranteed in the Constitution of Ireland. "

It said the term 'durable relationship' is shrouded in legal uncertainty and open to wide interpretation.

It noted suggestion by some that the term risks leading to unforeseen and unintended consequences.

Referring to the care amendment, the statement said the present constitutional provision does not say that a woman's place is in the home and does not excuse men from their duties to home and family.

"People generally recognise the enormous commitment that women in Ireland have given, and continue to give, in relation to care, love and affection in the home.

"Pope Francis has said 'Families and homes go together'. We therefore have similar concerns about the removal of the term ‘home’ from this article."

The statement suggested that rather than remove the acknowledgement of the role of women and the home, the State should recognise the provision of care by men and women alike.

"The State has to date failed to financially acknowledge the role of women in the home; once again there is no indication that there will be provision for the adequate financial remuneration of carers.

"The proposed term ‘strive to support’ appears to weaken the State’s constitutional responsibility to materially and legislatively support such care."

The statement concluded by emphasising the importance of every person exercising their right to vote.