Marriage is unique and deserves to have its special status supported through the tax and social welfare system, Ireland's Catholic bishops have said.In a statement following their Autumn General Meeting, they said that marriage between a man and woman is “the fundamental unit of society”.
The statement comes as the Government prepares to introduce legislation to recognise same sex unions.
The proposed legislation will give nearly all of the same rights to such unions as currently apply to traditional marriage.
Noting the Constitutional obligation on the Government to guard the institution of marriage with special care (Art. 41.3.1), they highlighted the benefits which derive from traditional marriage.
They said that the institution existed “so that spouses may grow in mutual love and by generosity of their love, bring children into the world and serve life fully”.
Referring to a submission they made to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Family in February 2005, they said that the special status of marriage “does not prevent just and appropriate measures” to protect other dependent relationships.
However, they insisted that these relationships should be “recognised as being qualitatively different from marriage”.
They added that it would be discriminatory “to confine this protection to those in sexual relationships and thereby exclude from protection the interests of siblings and other non-sexually involved cohabitees”.
The creation of a category of marriage-like relationships which would enjoy marriage-like rights, they continued, “would seem to contradict in spirit, if not in law, the pledge in Article 41.3.1 to guard with special care the institution of marriage”. Such a move would run the risk of devaluing marriage, they added.
The bishops also expressed their concern about the decline in the economy, with particular regard to the impact on the most vulnerable. Highlighting the fact that price inflation was “being felt most by those on low wages or on State income support”, they said it was important that we “act – so that the most vulnerable are protected in these more challenging times”.
“It is not just the role of Government, but of families, communities and individuals to care, connect and support one another and in particular with those who are lonely, isolated and who are struggling to participate fully in society,” they added.
The bishops also called on the Oireachtas to consider amending the restrictions on religious advertising as contained in the relevant sections of Section 41 of the Broadcasting Bill 2008.
They said that the Bill should permit the broadcasting of religious advertisements “as long as the advertisement in question is not contrary to the common good”.
At present, religious advertising on radio and television is strictly regulated.
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(Source: CIN)