Ireland's same-sex marriage vote denounced as 'defeat for humanity' by Vatican cardinal
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin was 'deeply saddened by the result'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A senior Vatican official has denounced the referendum result in Ireland as a “defeat for humanity” after the country overwhelmingly voted for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
The outcome of the landmark referendum has been celebrated across the world as a resounding vote for equality. But Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, reportedly said he was “deeply saddened” by the result.
“I think that you cannot just talk of a defeat for Christian principles, but of a defeat for humanity,” he was quoted as saying by the Italian news agency ANSA. “The family remains at the centre and we have to do everything to defend it and promote it.”
Almost 62 per cent of voters in Ireland were in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, making it the first country to legalise gay marriage by popular vote.
The result led the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to vow to push through civil unions in the country, where 88 per cent of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
Parolin’s response contrasted with the reaction from Diarmuid Martin, the archbishop of Dublin and one of Ireland’s most senior Catholic clerics, who said the Church needed a “reality check”.
He told Irish broadcaster RTÉ: "I appreciate how gay and lesbian men and women feel on this day. That they feel this is something that is enriching the way they live. I think it is a social revolution."
Pope Francis has not responded directly to the referendum but appeared to mark a shift in the attitudes of the Catholic Church in 2013 when he told reporters: "If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments