Catholic Church ‘will pay price’ for stance on gay marriage
A conference discussing the religious case for marriage equality has heard there will be a price to be paid by the Catholic Church for its stance in relation to the upcoming referendum.
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I predict there will be a price to be paid by the Catholic Church after this referendum, he said. Because of the negative stance taken by the bishops, the church as an institution could emerge as a smaller, more anti-gay, more conservative denomination. Some of the bishops might be satisfied with that outcome, but many people might feel that it would be a regrettable and avoidable outcome.
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Trinity College vice-provost Prof Linda Hogan said there were no theological impediments to gay people marrying.
Theologically speaking, there are no impediments to gay and lesbian people marrying in a civil ceremony, she said. People of faith can exercise their freedom of conscience to vote yes to lesbian and gay people marrying in a civil ceremony.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/catholic-church-will-pay-price-for-stance-on-gay-marriage-1.2172982