Church reels after Ireland’s huge ‘Yes’ to gay marriage

Dublin, May 24

The once all-powerful Catholic Church in Ireland was trying to come to terms today with the country’s overwhelming vote to allow gay marriage and confront the “social revolution” behind it.

As jubilant “Yes” supporters nursed their hangovers after partying long into the night following yesterday’s referendum result announcement, the faithful were going to mass to hear their priests reflect on the new social landscape in Ireland.

Bishops spoke against changing the law and older and rural voters were thought to have accounted for much of the “No” vote.

Final results showed 62 per cent of votes in favour and 38 per cent against introducing gay marriage, in a country where being homosexual was a crime until 1993.

As today’s newspapers celebrated the result with colourful pictures of partying “Yes” supporters, they noted the heavy blow to Church authority.

The Irish Sun today newspaper said in its editorial: “Ireland officially emerged from the shadow of the Catholic Church yesterday to show its love and respect to people who have suffered here for centuries.”

Niall O’Connor wrote in the Sunday Independent: “The once unshakable influence of the Catholic Church over Middle Ireland has been confronted.” — AFP