THE CATHOLIC Bishops have come out strongly against the civil partnership legislation currently before the Dáil.
In a statement at the conclusion of their summer meeting in Maynooth last night, they appealed to members of the Oireachtas to read their Why Marriage Mattersdocument, published last March.
They asked “in particular’’ that politicians “consider in conscience” a quoted excerpt from that document before voting on the Bill.”
The relevant excerpt reads: “Oireachtas Éireann is about to pass legislation that seeks to give same-sex relationships a standing which will be as similar as possible to marriage.
“The Civil Partnership Bill will not permit adoption by same-sex couples. In most other respects, including tax and social welfare purposes, same-sex civil partnerships will be regarded as being equal to marriage.
“This is not compatible with seeing the family based on marriage as the necessary basis of the social order and as indispensable to the welfare of the Nation and State. Nor does it ‘guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded.’ (Art 41.3.1, Bunreacht na hÉireann)”
They called on Oireachtas members “to allow for greater recognition of the proper autonomy of churches and the right to social and civil freedom in religious matters.” This, they said “includes the right of individuals to the free exercise of conscience in accordance with the objective moral order and the teaching of the Gospel.”
The current Bill, they said, “by exposing civil registrars to a fine and/or imprisonment should they act in accordance with their conscience on the matter of same-sex unions, undermines this cherished principle of a free and diverse society.” They said it imposes unjust limits on the “freedom of conscience and free expression and practice of religion” guaranteed to every citizen in Article 44.2.1 of the Constitution.”
They appealed to the Government “to introduce amendments to the Bill to accommodate freedom of religious conscience on this vital matter” and they also called on it “to support a free vote for all members of Dáil Éireann and the Seanad on this Bill as it passes through the Houses of the Oireachtas.”
In discussing the pope’s recent letter to Irish Catholics they agreed there should be “greater participation of the lay faithful in the service and mission of the Church” and “acknowledged the ongoing reflection and dialogue which is taking place in parishes around the country.”