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Gay & Lesbian Rights For Same Sex Marriages in Ireland
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grufty jim
grufty jim
1978 posts

Edited May 24, 2015, 17:40
Re: Ireland votes 'Yes' in Marriage Equality referendum
May 24, 2015, 17:39
Sanctuary wrote:
Not sure how this worked before Jim so excuse my ignorance on the subject, but does this now mean that church weddings will take place and illegal not to grant one?


No, this is a constitutional and legal issue. Despite the obvious influence of the church over the Irish state throughout the 20th century, there is technically a separation between church and state in Ireland.

It's weird, in the UK the church is intrinsically tied to the state; in Ireland it's not - and yet few would disagree that the influence it's had in Ireland has (up until very recently) been far stronger. Even now, Ireland is culturally Catholic whether we like it or not. That sort of thing takes generations to work its way out after all.

Up until now, the Irish constitution has defined marriage as being between a man and a woman (which is hardly surprising... after all, the document was written by a bunch of Catholics in the 1930s!) A government cannot change the Irish constitution - that can only be done by referendum.

This referendum has removed that restriction, and henceforth the constitution will define marriage as being between two adults - regardless of gender. Leastways it will once the administrative stuff is dealt with in a couple of months.

That means the Irish state will now recognise marriage between two men - or two women - as being identical under the law as a marriage between a man and a woman (with all of the commensurate legal protections and family rights). It does not compel any religion or church to consecrate such marriages.
In reply to:
Re: Ireland votes 'Yes' in Marriage Equality referendum (Sanctuary)		 Replies:
Re: Ireland votes 'Yes' in Marriage Equality referendum (Markoid)
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