Catholic bishops have advised the electorate to vote no in the upcoming referendums on the role of care and the definition of a family.
In a statement read at masses across the country today, Irish Catholic Bishops said there are “risks” to replacing the definition of family from one based on marriage to one based on “durable relationships”.
“[It] diminishes the unique importance of the relationship between marriage and family in the eyes of society and State and is likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry,” they wrote.
“While 'marriage’ entails a public and legal commitment, the term ‘durable relationship’ is shrouded in legal uncertainty and is open to wide interpretation.”
It noted the family is the “foundational cell of society and essential to the common good”.
Role of women
Irish Catholic Bishops also claimed the change the role of women in the home does not benefit the Irish people.
“People generally recognise the enormous commitment that women in Ireland have given, and continue to give, in relation to care, love and affection in the home,” it said.
“In contemporary society there now exists a welcome co-responsibility between women and men for every aspect of domestic life, including the provision of care in the home.
“We believe that, rather than removing the present acknowledgement of the role of women and the place of the home, it would be preferable and consistent with contemporary social values that the State would recognise the provision of care by women and men alike.”
Bishops call for vote
The bishops noted that there is “no indication that there will be provision for the adequate financial remuneration of carers” in the changed wording.
The current constitution does not have a provision for financial support beyond promising the State will “endeavour to ensure” mothers will not be required to work outside the home.
“The [new] proposed term ‘strive to support’ appears to weaken the State’s constitutional responsibility to materially and legislatively support such care,” the bishops wrote.
The organisation encouraged people to vote in the referendums taking place on March 8th.
