Sir, – We write as individual clergy of the Church of Ireland who realise that marriage is based on the values of love and commitment. This is the case for heterosexual and same-sex couples, whether the marriage involves children or not. We believe that justice and equality for all are fundamental Christian, biblical principles. We believe that for too long LGBT people have suffered discrimination and injustice in Ireland and that a Yes vote will be a contribution to a fairer and more truly equal Ireland. We respect the right of all people to vote according to their conscience – for the reasons we have given, and many more, we intend to vote Yes in the forthcoming referendum on equal marriage. – Yours, etc,
Rev BRIAN O’ROURKE,
Rev CHRIS LONG,
Rev WAYNE CARNEY,
Rev ELAINE MURRAY,
Rev EDGAR SWANN,
Rev KATHARINE
POULTON,
Rev PAUL WILLOUGHBY,
Rev MÁIRT HANLEY,
Rev STELLA DURAND,
Rev HILARY WAKEMAN,
Rev DAVID WILLIAMS,
Rev LESLIE STEVENSON,
Rev BARBARA FRYDAY,
Rev VIRGINIA
KENNERLEY,
Rev AISLING SHINE,
Rev SUSAN GREEN,
Rev KEITH SCOTT,
Rev RUTH ELMES,
Rev DAVID McDONNELL,
Rev TOM GORDON,
Rev JAMES WALLACE,
Rev NANCY GILLESPIE,
Rev MARTIN HILLIARD,
Rev EITHNE LYNCH,
Rev PETER TARLETON,
Rev MARIA JANSSON,
Rev CAROLINE
CASSERLY FARRAR,
Rev NICOLA HALFORD,
Rev MARTIN O’CONNOR,
Rev OLIVE DONOHOE,
Rev JAMES MULHALL,
Rev ÁSA BJÖRK
ÓLAFSDÓTTIR,
Rev STELLA JONES,
Rev MARK GARDNER,
Rev JACK KINKEAD,
Rev JENNY CROWLEY,
Rev GEORGE CLIFFE,
Rev JOHN ARDIS,
Rev ROBERT GRAY,
Rev GORDON LINNEY,
Rev DAVID GODFREY,
Rev BRUCE HAYES,
Rev ANDREW ORR,
Tullow,
Co Carlow.
Sir, – What an insight your letters column gives to the priorities of, or at least a section of, the Irish people.
Recently water charges and now the marriage referendum have taken top billing. There have been occasional letters referring to the plight of the disadvantaged in our society and the premature death of those, especially the elderly, unable to gain access to essential healthcare as a result of the Government’s selected targets for austerity but nothing on the scale of the aforementioned favourite topics.
Previously I recognised that there were those whose sexual orientation differed from mine and I considered it none of my business. Now I find their demands unnatural and illogical.
I shall be 85 next month so it’s unlikely I shall be around to witness the spectacle of a 21-year-old president being congratulated by both his or her fathers. Perhaps there is some merit in old age after all! – Yours, etc,
ROBERT BATES,
Delgany, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Mick Fagan (April 30th) states that he "cannot understand the obsessive pursuit of the use of the term "marriage" to describe [LGBT] loving relationships.
One experience that stayed with me occurred not long after I got married many years ago. I was checking into a hotel and recall the sudden flash of pride I felt when I didn’t refer to my girlfriend/partner/fiancée but “my wife”. To us, our relationship wasn’t any less before we were married but the weight society gives a married relationship is unmistakable and you feel it the second you no longer have to ambiguously call someone “my partner”.
Surely Mr Fagan realises “marriage” is more than just a word? – Yours, etc,
COLIN McGOVERN,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – I hesitate to disagree publicly with my confrère Fr Adrian Egan (April 30th) but the forthcoming referendum is not about who may love whom or how they might give expression and commitment to that love. It is about the nature of marriage.
Unlike Adrian, I hesitate to read the mind of God, but the “common sense” definition of marriage that is in place, based on the union of a man and a woman, has done us good service. That is why I am voting No. – Yours, etc,
Fr BRENDAN
McCONVERY, CSsR.
Redemptorist
Communications,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Thanks to Redemptorist priest Fr Adrian Egan for his letter supporting the Yes side (April 30th). I have no doubt it took great courage. It will do nothing but good and will help many. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN McDEVITT,
Glenties,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Currently, widowed persons may lose their state pension entitlement if found to be “living with another person as husband and wife”, ie cohabitation. If the marriage referendum is passed on May 22nd, this issue will have to be addressed.
Otherwise, should a widow/widower choose to share their home with a same-sex friend, a presumption of cohabitation could arise. – Yours, etc,
ELIZABETH SENIOR,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Mick Fagan (April 30th) is correct to say that the sky will not fall whatever the outcome of the referendum. He should be in no doubt, however, that, in the event of a No vote, I and my fellow gay citizens will know that we are part of an Ireland which was given the opportunity to declare us equal – and chose not to. – Yours, etc,
JESSICA COPLEY,
Dublin 16.
A chara, – Instinctively, like many people, I am a Yes voter. However, I do believe there are valid concerns that need to be discussed. For example, I believe that married couples should get financial assistance from the State if they require IVF treatment in their pursuit of children. If I am to be consistent with my belief in equality, what help should gay couples who are married receive should they wish to have children? To be honest, I don’t know. I would really like if all the practical issues could be teased out instead of the debate focusing on ideological beliefs only. – Is mise,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Donabate, Co Dublin.
Sir, – In the light of claims of a declining interest in marriage, isn’t it fantastic that a section of society is clamouring to join this institution? This is a desire to affirm and strengthen loving relationships in front of family and friends; possibly redefining but surely enriching the institution. This positive change cannot be taken for granted. If the referendum fails, it will be due to the complacency of Yes voters, and not to the spurious claims, pseudo-victimisation and growing negativity of the No side. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN MULHALL,
Dublin 8.