Ireland Goes Gay

Aleteia ^ | May 23, 2015 | JOHN BURGER

[NYer]

A fellow named Danny Smith posted a street scene of Dublin on Twitter late afternoon on Saturday. In the background was a glimpse of that celestial phenomenon that appears after a storm, at the other end of which, it is said, there's a pot of gold. 

"There's a big gay rainbow over Dublin," Smith tweeted. "If that's not Jesus giving the Yes vote I don't know what is."

Danny Boy can be forgiven for his hyperbole. Though his Twitter page identifies him as being a resident of Manchester, England, he's joining in the enthusiasm being demonstrated in streets, squares and pubs throughout Ireland—and on social media. 

The Yes vote has triumphed, making the Republic of Ireland the first nation in the world to open the institution of marriage through a plebiscite, not an act of a legislature or a court ruling, to members of the same sex. The New York Times reports:

With ballots from 34 out of the 43 voting areas counted, the vote was almost two to one in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. All but one of the districts that were counted voted yes, and it appeared to be statistically impossible for opposition votes to overcome the ayes.

Turnout was large — more than 60 percent of the 3.2 million people eligible to vote cast ballots. Government officials, advocates and even those who had argued against the measure said that the outcome was a resounding endorsement of the constitutional amendment.

Earlier in the day, as poll workers continued to tabulate ballots late Saturday morning, David Quinn, director of the Iona Institute, who was in the forefront of the opposition, tweeted: “Congratulations to the Yes side. Well done.”

There were no rainbows on Quinn’s page—nor any rainbows for him. Much of the response to his congratualatory tweet was filled with vitrol:

“Yeah…whatever. You make me sick,” said one Denis Coakley.

“You were far from gracious during your poisonous, ill-constructed campaign,” added Niall McGarry.

“Well-done indeed, in spite of your obfuscation, homophobia, lies, etc.” was the rejoinder of a tweeter called Thailand thoughts. “Now accept that Ireland has left you and your like behind.”

One Twitter denizen, with the moniker Baba Yaga, simply shot back, “Eat it.”

Another tweet is unprintable in this family-friendly forum.

Commenting on the outcome, Quinn said in a press release, "We believe [we] fought a good campaign. It was always going to be an uphill battle. However, we helped to provide a voice to the hundreds of thousands of Irish people who did vote No. The fact that no political party supported them must be a concern from a democratic point of view. Going forward, we will continue to affirm the importance of the biological ties and of motherhood and fatherhood. We hope the Government will address the concerns voters on the No side have about the implications for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.'”

The Times provided some background on the vote and its effect:

The referendum changes Ireland’s Constitution so that civil marriages between two people is now legal “without distinction as to their sex.” It requires ratification by both houses of the Irish Parliament and the president. Though that is a formality, the date when gay and lesbian couples can marry will be determined in that process.

Vatican Radio noted how, in hindsight, it was going to be tough going for those defending marriage against redefinition:

It was always going to be an uphill struggle for those who spoke out against same-sex marriage. Every political party supported change and there was virtual unanimity amongst the media in pushing for a 'yes'. One eve-of-poll survey found that of the ten main newspapers, there were three times as many articles pushing a 'yes' vote as advocating a 'no' vote.

Vatican Radio also noted how the country's bishops had engaged in a relatively low-key campaign largely restricted to the reading of pastoral letters at Masses in parishes.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, took to the airwaves pointing to the reasons why he was voting 'no', namely because of his belief that marriage is a unique institution involving one man and one woman.

The Archbishop, however, stopped short of telling Catholics how they should vote, pointedly saying "those days are gone"—a reference to a time when the Irish Catholic hierarchy frequently instructed Mass-goers on how they should vote.

The Times too noted the broad support for the measure coming from the the likes of Prime Minister Enda Kenny of the center-right Fine Gael party, his Labour coalition partner, and Sinn Fein, an opposition party. Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, said, “There are two Irelands, the elite Ireland and the hidden Ireland. And today the hidden Ireland spoke.”

Kenny said that Catholic schools will be required to teach same-sex "marriage" as part of the curriculum, Vatican Radio noted—just one concern that was expressed about the impact on religious freedom.  

[Salvation]

**the days of the Catholic Church being against homosexuality is coming to an end.**

I beg to disagree. The Catholic Church has stood against homosexuality for 2000 years. It’s not going to buckle under now.

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

[Salvation]

If a church tells the people who to vote for, they lose their tax-free status.

Archbishops and any priest or the Pope can speak to issues, but they can not endorse candidates for this reason.

[dfwgator]

They went Gay-lick.

[jjotto]

The few percent of Protestants in the Republic don’t really matter, but as most of them are Anglican, no doubt they were mostly on board with the gay stuff.

Northern Ireland, by contrast, doesn’t currently have gay marriage like the rest of the UK, but pressure is building rapidly.

[dfwgator]

If it wasn’t for all the Poles who have moved to Ireland, I don’t think they’d have any Catholics left.

[cothrige]

Unfortunately, these stories generally leave aside the true foundational problem in the event, at least as concerns the Catholic Church. It is often noted that there were weak bishops and pastors who failed to educate or lead their sheep towards the appropriate faith-based response. Usually we are given examples of poor education by Catholic institutions that, it is implied, has led to outcomes such as this. But these approaches all miss the most basic truth element behind these problems, and that is, regardless of who says what and when, the Church no longer has any moral authority.

I would ask people to think about it this way. If you knew a man who beat his wife, and cheated on her constantly, would you go to him for advice on virtuous living? The most fundamental aspect of the Church’s life is the Mass. The liturgy is the core of the deposit of faith and the center of our daily life. And yet, how does the Church treasure that, the highest element of its worship and the presence of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ among us? Well, simply put, it doesn’t. It is a throw away. The liturgical life of the Church is a shambles. It is virtually impossible to find something that even comes close to impersonating reverence in a Mass these days. And, given the miserable conditions of the life of worship in this Church, how does the hierarchy respond? Silence. Or, more often, with open contempt for the sacred. And this in regards to what these very men hold up as the zenith of our spiritual life.

What this means is that the Church has become an institution which ignores or even despises that which it claims to hold as its most fundamental belief. Would you trust an organization like that? Would you listen to anyone from that institution for advice on how to live according to the faith? No, of course not. And because the actual example set by the Church is how to ignore your beliefs and act only according to your financial or secular interests there is no possible hope that it can offer any actual leadership regarding moral issues. This is why there is no point, ultimately, in looking to the Church when it comes to abortion, marriage, euthanasia, etc. Until the Church can rediscover its Eucharistic faith and actually begin to restore its worship to the place it now only gives only lip-service there is no reason to even consider it as a compass for moral teaching. It just has nothing to contribute in those discussions.

[verga]

You do realize that he largest percentage of “christians” in Ireland is protestant. 48% protestant to 42% Catholic.

[Jeff Chandler]

"Bravo!"

.

"Who am I to judge?"

[Slambat]

“You do realize that......”

Your right. I did look it up and according to the 2011
census your right but there is a rise in Catholics and an decline
in Protestants happening. In Belfast, Catholics outnumber
Protestants.

[verga]

You also have to keep in mind that John Kerry and Nancy Pelousy self identify as Catholic but are Catholics in name only. I am pretty sure you will find similar percentage around the world in those that may identify, but don’t follow the Church teachings.

[NYer]

What this means is that the Church has become an institution which ignores or even despises that which it claims to hold as its most fundamental belief.

Vile and nonsensical statement. The Church is perfect but is made up of sinners like you and me. The Church is Christ's bride (Ephesians 5:29) and has "no spot, wrinkle or blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). Christ also stated that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18) so how can the Church commit error? Individual clergy may commit sins, even popes commit sins because in the Church there are both "weeds and wheat" (Matthew 13:30).

[Darren McCarty]

Grandpa is rolling in his grave.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

What this means is that the Church has become an institution which ignores or even despises that which it claims to hold as its most fundamental belief. Would you trust an organization like that? Would you listen to anyone from that institution for advice on how to live according to the faith?

Yes, but you have to be extremely vigilant in finding the right church, and the right Priest. There are still some strong men in the Church, fighting for the Faith.

The place to start is the Latin Mass, if you're lucky enough to live near one.

[Baltimore ken]

The perfect gay marriage in Ireland: PATRICK FITZGERALD AND GERALD FITZPATRICK.

[cothrige]

Christ also stated that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18) so how can the Church commit error?

I am sorry, but that is quite simply just ridiculous. Nothing about the gates of hell promise suggests that the leadership of the Church will always be guaranteed perfect prudence and wisdom in all matters of faith life. The Church has certainly never suggested such a reading.

You admit that popes can sin, but that only scratches the surface. Popes can sin, and they can be bad leaders. They can promote error personally, and encourage ineffectual teaching and leadership in others. And other prelates can do the same. Look at Germany where the entire leadership of the local church looks headed for schism. Does God promise that the Church in Germany will never commit error? Nope, not at all. And what of the Church in Europe? Could it fall into error? Yep. Any of this and more is possible without the gates of hell prevailing.

The reality is that there are no promises from God that the Church will not collectively fail to promote a proper and true Eucharistic faith. And any honest appraisal of the recent history of the Church will be forced to admit that. Yes, there are very specific dogmatic protections, but since I have never argued that any dogmatic errors have been committed that does not have any bearing. The truly vile and nonsensical argument is that nothing the Church does is ever less than perfectly sound, which naturally leads those who can see to assume that the gates of hell prevailed and so the Church itself is a lie. A very dangerous suggestion.

[cothrige]

Yes, but you have to be extremely vigilant in finding the right church, and the right Priest. There are still some strong men in the Church, fighting for the Faith.

Absolutely there are, but that doesn't shift the need to recognize what is going on and why the Church has ceased to be effective witness to moral truths. Until the Church more fully reflects the devotion and reverence that we find now only in tiny isolated places she will be unable to influence people in these matters. You cannot have moral authority and be less than fully true to what you claim to believe.

[smvoice]

AMEN. You cannot preach from the gutter and tell others they are on the low road.

[ebb tide]

Congratulations poured in to Ireland from around the world, including from British Prime Minister David Cameron and US Vice President Joe Biden.

[ebb tide]

The Republic of Ireland has last been reported to be 84.2% Catholic. Where are you getting your numbers?

[verga]

Google.