Ireland archbishop raises concerns about yes vote in gay marriage poll
Source: The Guardian
Ireland archbishop raises concerns about yes vote in gay marriage poll
Henry McDonald
Saturday 2 May 2015 23.39 BST
The leader of Irelands Catholics has warned that if the Republic endorses gay marriage in the forthcoming referendum, religious organisations could face legal action for refusing to marry same-sex couples in their churches.
Ireland is the first country in the world to hold a referendum to legalise gay marriages. The vote takes place on 22 May.
In his first major intervention in the referendum debate on Saturday night, Eamon Martin, primate of All Ireland, expressed various concerns about the consequences of a yes vote.
The archbishop said: Will there be lawsuits against individuals and groups who do not share this vision? What will we be expected to teach children in school about marriage or about homosexual acts? Will those who continue to sincerely believe that marriage is between a man and a woman be forced to act against their faith and conscience?
He went on to say that a yes vote would end the proper meaning of marriage in the state.
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Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/02/ireland-archbishop-fears-lawsuits-for-churches-against-gay-marriage