A CATHOLIC priest in west Donegal says he intends voting “Yes” in the Republic’s referendum on same-sex marriage.
Fr Brian O Fearraigh, from Gweedore, says he will support the move to change the Republic’s constitution on May 22 to allow marriage between people of the same sex.
By voting Yes, Fr O Fearraigh will directly oppose the Catholic church hierarchy which is recommending a No vote in the referendum. Both Fr O Fearraigh’s bishop, Philip Boyce and archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin have called for a No vote.
Fr O Fearraigh said the referendum was about civil marriage and he believed the Irish state should not discriminate against any of its citizens.
“When it comes to voting in this same sex marriage referendum I think and I believe that by voting yes we’re saying that in doing that the state will be recognising and cherishing all of its citizens regardless of their sexual orientation or regardless of who they are,” he said.
The Co Donegal priest said he believed the church would not be forced into changing its views on marriage.
