Catholic Bishop: ‘Gay people can marry… just not each other’
Supporters of same-sex marriage campaign in Australia (Getty)
A Catholic Bishop from Ireland has said that there is nothing stopping gay people from getting married, as long as they don’t marry each other.
The Catholic Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran has said there is no obstacle for people of ‘homosexual orientation’ to get married because they can already marry straight people.
Bishop Doran said: “Can people of homosexual orientation marry? This is quite interesting, because most people would probably say that they cannot legally do so. But, of course there is no legal obstacle to a person of homosexual orientation getting married, just as a heterosexual person can.”
According to The Irish Times, he also claimed that those seeking for a Yes vote in May’s upcoming same-sex marriage referendum are not looking for marriage equality.
Speaking in Dublin’s Holy Trinity Church, the Bishop said gay people are looking for a relationship that is not unlike a marriage, but they will miss what he deems a crucial part of a marriage- procreation.
He said that equal marriage is only possible if “we change the meaning of marriage and remove that aspect of openness to procreation.”
Bishop Doran finished the talk with his answers to the questions equal marriage campaigners ask religious people.
“A. Can we recognise the fundamental goodness of people who are of homosexual orientation? Yes.
“B. Do we believe that they are loved by God? Yes.
“C. And that they are equal in dignity to every other person? Yes.
“D. Can they be actively involved in the life of the Church? Yes.
“E. Can friendships between people of the same sex be good, even if they are sexually attracted to one another? Yes, of course.
“While marriage is the ‘primary and most unique friendship’, there are many other kinds of friendship which are blessed by God. Friendship is an aspect of love, and love is the path to holiness.
“This of course applies equally to those who are homosexual in orientation as it does to those who are heterosexual.
“F. Can people of homosexual orientation receive the Eucharist? Yes, on exactly the same basis as heterosexual people, who are likewise called to the virtue of chastity.
“G. Can we engage with them in pastoral care for the family? Yes, of course.
“H. Can people of homosexual orientation marry?
“This is quite interesting, because most people would probably say that they cannot legally do so. But, of course there is no legal obstacle to a person of homosexual orientation getting married, just as a heterosexual person can. “To that extent the question of marriage equality simply doesn’t arise. (Whether it is good or just or wise for a homosexual person to enter marriage is another question.)”
It recently emerged that one in five voters are still undecided about how they will vote in the referendum in May. The poll found that while 62 percent were in favour with 16 percent opposed, 22 percent of voters are still unsure/didn’t know how they would vote on the issue.
