The Archbishop of Dublin says the Catholic Church will remain opposed to gay marriage - but must learn to "fight its battles" in a more respectful way.
It's after the Chairperson of the Constitutional Convention, Tom Arnold, urged the government to hold a referendum on same sex marriage.
Over 79% of the Convention favoured legalising marriage between two people of the same sex.
Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said there's a growing divergence between the Church's view on marriage and that of wider society.
He says the Church's position won't change - but it must remain respectful in the debate.