Archbishop of Dublin says Church needs ‘a reality check’ after gay marriage

The Archbishop of Dublin, and the most senior Catholic figure in Ireland, has spoken of the huge task facing the Church in the wake of the country’s historic vote for same-sex marriage.

Speaking to RTE on Saturday, Diarmuid Martin accepted that the Yes side had captured popular support. “I appreciate how gay and lesbian men and women feel on this day. That they feel this is something which is enriching the way they live.” And, in agreement with the words of the Health Minister Leo Varadkar, he said, “I think it is a social revolution. It’s a social revolution that didn’t begin today, it’s a social revolution that’s been going on and perhaps in the church people have not been as clear and understanding about what that involves.”

He went on to say, “If this referendum is an affirmation of the views of young people, then the Church has a huge task ahead of it to talk to, and get its message across to young people.”

“The Church needs to do a reality check right across the board, to look at the things it’s doing well, and to look at the areas where we really have to start and say ‘have we drifted completely away from young people?'” He also warned that the Church should not “move into denial of the realities” moving forward, if it was serious about renewal.

The Archbishop also acknowledged that the young generation who are attributed with carrying the Yes campaign have mostly been brought up in the Catholic faith. “Most of these young people who voted yes are products of our Catholic school system for 12 years. I’m saying there’s a big challenge there to see how we get across the message of the church.”