Vatican to criticise Ireland's gay legislation
A senior Vatican official on Tuesday criticised Ireland's recent legislation on same-sex marriage, saying it constituted a defeat.
The country held a national referendum on Friday in order to decide whether to extend marriage rights to gay couples, resulting in an overwhelming "yes" vote.
Read more: Ireland opens polls to decide on gay marriage
"Not a defeat for Christian principles, it was a defeat for humanity," Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in comments quoted by Vatican Radio late on Tuesday. "I was very saddened by this result."
"The Church must take account of this reality, but in the sense of reinforcing its commitment to evangelization," he added.
Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said after the voting outcome was made public: “It is very clear that if this referendum is an affirmation of the views of young people … [then the church needs] a reality check.”
Pope Francis commented on this reality after taking office. "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?," he said.
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