Irish Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Embraces Bigotry

One of the few bright spots in the Irish Roman Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal has been Archbishop Diarmuid Martin who has been willing to call out those who engaged in coverups and a reign of intimidation against sex abuse victims.  Sadly, on the issue of same sex marriage, Martin has embraced the Church's 13th century "natural law" and come out on the side of ignorance and bigotry.  Perhaps it was to be expected, but it is yet another example of the Church's death wish in the west and modern countries as it slides towards becoming a church largely based in Africa and other regions where ignorant, uneducated populations.  Independent Catholic News looks at Martin's embrace of ignorance and bigotry.  Meanwhile, the Church finds itself on a head on collision with the Irish government as reported by NBC News.  It is a welcomed development that the government no longer does the Church's bidding.  Here are highlights:

Ireland will become the first country in the world to vote directly on same-sex marriage Friday in a neck-and-neck referendum that has seen most of the Catholic country's government and the church on opposing sides.

The earliest opinion poll in the campaign indicated a 'Yes' vote of 76 percent, but the gap between the sides has narrowed. Polls published Sunday suggested support for the 'Yes' campaign at between 53 and 69 percent. However, Irish prime minister Enda Kenny last week declared the race too close to call. 

Kenny, who is advocating a 'Yes' vote, said Ireland "had gone on a journey from decriminalization of homosexuality [in 1993] … and now a step towards civil marriage." 

In an interview with TV3, he asked: "Are the Irish people going to deny their own kith and kin the right to have a marriage contracted in civil law if that's what they wish to do?" 

Leading the charge for a 'No' vote are the Catholic Church and associated think tanks, as well as groups such as Catholic Comment. A member of that group, Petra Conroy, told NBC News that the referendum is about "the unique mother, father and child relationship," adding: "I think we can have equality and leave marriage as it is."

U2 singer Bono has endorsed a 'Yes' vote, telling the Irish Independent that he believes the vote should not be seen as a religious issue.  "Think about it — trying to co-opt the word 'marriage' is like trying to co-opt the word 'love.' You can't own it," he said. "Marriage is now an idea that transcends religion. It is owned by the people. They can decide. It is not a religious institution. As far as I know, Jesus wasn't a married man and neither are most priests [who are] talking about it."

Dubliner and 'Yes' voter Gordon Hickey believes the country's constitution doesn't reflect modern Ireland and said he was "extremely worried" about the outcome of the referendum. 

"The 'No' campaign claim it's about protecting children," he told NBC News. "Well I am someone's child. What about my rights? I want to be recognized as equal; gay people already feel like second-class citizens; having to beg our country to recognize us as equal just makes us feel worse."

Irish Prime Minister Endorses Same Sex Marriage

Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny

Ireland was once a bastion of Catholicism.  But then came the sex abuse scandal and the subsequent exposure of a Church that cared nothing about children and engaged in deception, lies and cover ups to protect predator priests and the Church hierarchy who protected them.  The result?  The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has been in a free fall and deference to the Church is at record low levels.  Now, in May, 2015, Ireland will hold a referendum on legalizing same sex marriage and the Church finds itself opposed by leading Irish politicians who rightly see civil law marriage as separate and distinct from religion and the Church.  As The Guardian reports, Ireland's Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, is urging voters to get out and vote for gay marriage.  Here are article excepts:

Ireland’s prime minister, Enda Kenny, has called on the country to vote yes in the forthcoming gay marriage equality referendum.


Speaking live on Saturday night on RTE television during his annual party congress, the taoiseach said a yes vote would send out a powerful signal that Ireland had evolved into a “fair, compassionate and tolerant nation”.

Kenny told his Fine Gael party – the dominant force in the ruling coalition in Dublin – that a national endorsement of gay marriage would also send a positive message to the gay community in the Republic.

“I believe that this is the right thing to do,” he said. “I and the Fine Gael party strongly support a yes vote.

“And therefore I say to all same-sex couples in our country: this is about you, it’s about your right to say two small words, made up of three simple letters – I do.

Successive opinion polls have found strong support for gay marriage equality in a state that was once dominated by the Roman Catholic church and was synonymous with conservative religious values.

So far the Catholic hierarchy has stayed out of the gay marriage battle, leaving the campaigning for a no vote in the hands of lay conservative Catholics including writers and historians. They have concentrated their opposition to gay marriage on concerns over LGBT people adopting children.

Once upon a time, no Irish Prime Minister would have dared to so boldly challenge the Church.  Thankfully, the vast majority of Irish Catholics view the Church hierarchy as morally bankrupt and mass attendance has plummeted.  I truly hope voters will go tho the polls, approve gay marriage, and send a message to the Catholic Church that its days of control and influence are over once and for all.