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OVER TWO YEARS ago, when the Constitutional Convention was debating same-sex marriage, the Catholic Church sounded a warning.
They seemed to suggest that priests may no longer be able to carry out the civil part of a wedding if same-sex marriage became a reality.
Currently, men and women who get married in a Catholic church also complete the civil part of the ceremony by signing the Marriage Registration form. This must also be overseen and signed by a solemniser of marriages.
The vast majority of solemnisers are Roman Catholic priests and, in a submission to the Constitutional Convention, the church warned that priests may be prevented from carrying out that role if the church and State’s definitions of marriage were different.
The submission says that the Catholic Church does not recognise “any other partnerships or legal unions as having an ethical or legal equivalence with marriage”, which the Church defines as being between a man and a woman.
This is what the the Irish Episcopal Conference, the group made up of the country’s Catholic bishops, said at the time:
“Any change to the definition of marriage would create great difficulties and in the light of this, if there were two totally different definitions of marriage, the Church could no longer carry out the civil element.”
This warning was repeated again during the referendum campaign as concerns began to mount that Catholics marrying in churches may be forced to have a second civil ceremony.
The Catholic Communications Office repeated the above quote and added the following:
It is important to note that in Ireland the Church and State co-operate closely in the solemnisation of marriages and that in excess of 70% of marriages in the Republic of Ireland are celebrated by couples choosing the Christian celebration of marriage with both elements taking place within the same ceremony.
After the referendum, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin was asked again about the church’s position. He said they hadn’t seen the legislation yet and needed to “look at all of these issues in due course”.
We were given a lot of assurances during the debate and during the Yes campaign that there would be no threat to the church’s celebration of marriage so we’ll have to wait and see.
Yesterday, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference concluded a three-day Summer meeting in which they discussed a rang of matters. Again, marriage was on the agenda.
A statement following the meeting said that bishops appreciated the “commitment and courage” of those who campaigned for a No vote.
“We will continue to reflect on the implications of the referendum in the Bishops’ Conference and its five commissions,” the statement added.
The issue of soleminsing weddings directly came up when it was put to Bishop Eamon Martin by journalists. He seemed to suggest that it was now up to the State to decide if it wants priests to be involved.
He said the question is:
‘Does the State wish the church to continue in that role and will it be constitutional for priests to do so?’
We must wait and see.
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It’s time to go for a drive over Sally Gap and get stuck
I hate winter and I hate snow. I want spring – NOW!
I bet when anyone reads the above comment they are singing it in their head
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn’t show signs of stopping
And I’ve bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
When we finally kiss good night
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
But if you’ll really hold me tight
All the way home I’ll be warm
The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we’re still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Wish I could give this more than one green thumb. Sadly only 0.01mm snow on the cars on our road this am! :-(
Blame Canada.
Hmmmm last photo bit suspect..
^ ^ ^ off to google snowflakes
Let Fake Flake-Gate begin!!!
I always think snow looks different here. It’s wetter or something like it’s not real snow haha
That would be sleet.
No because it’s on the ground sticking like just not properly!
No because when it snows here the temperature is very rarely below zero, in the likes of Canada wheb it snows the temp is well below zero so the snow freezes
My wife over here in Sweden calls that wet snow! generally when we get snow here the temperature is at least around -3 degrees. The snow blows around like sand a lot of the time, it’s cold enough that it doesn’t melt on your hands, or clothes, or when the sun is out.
It’s very different to what I knew as snow at home.
A couple of weeks ago we had -15 degrees and sunny, it’s awesome! as much fun as warm weather methinks!
Here’s a picture of a lake we walk across:
I’m delighted to see my picture in there :-) It was a magical sight and a wonderful surprise to wake up to this morning.
Best send everyone home from work early, before the buses are taken off the roads early!!!!!
Can people send in more
Another week we will be into the mild weather.
You mean ‘Summer’.
No spring comes first
bah not a screed in kinsealy feck it
I got the answer. Just didn’t c it the first time.
Come on now! Alittle bit of snow. Kick back and have a pint.
Come on now! A little bit of snow. Kick back and have a pint with friends.
have your say