The Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary has come out strongly against the upcoming same sex marriage referendum. Speaking over the weekend at masses across his Archdiocese, Archbishop Neary claims that marriage is a “union of a man and a woman, based on the complementarity of a male and female, who have the potential for creating a new life”.
He believes that the referendum is asking to people to not only redefine marriage, but to redefine the family and through doing so depriving children of the right to grow up in a family with a mother and father.
He said that we already have civil partnership in Ireland that it gives same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
He said that same sex marriage is not a human right and that the same proposal has been defeated in other countries, saying “only one quarter of European countries have introduced same sex marriage, and none by a popular vote”.
Archbishop Neary said that the Church “is against the proposal to redefine marriage”.
He said that it is not disrespectful to vote No and offers: “Our view of Christian marriage, properly explained and understood, is not in any way disrespectful of people who experience same-sex attraction. As a Church we believe every person is equal in the sight of God and should always be treated with love, dignity and respect.”
The Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy also came out strong this weekend against changing the definition of marriage. He claims it would have a “profound impact on family life” particularly to children.
Bishop Leahy explained why he believes Ireland must vote No and asked people to pray about the referendum.
He said that “children have a right, except when this is not possible, to be raised by a mother and father.”