Irish priest reminds Justice Minister of Catholic teaching on marriage

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Comments: 5

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern

Dublin, Ireland, Jul 17, 2009 / 01:16 am (CNA).- An Irish priest has defended one of his homilies against criticism from Ireland’s justice minister, reiterating that legislation to promote civil partnerships is immoral and undermines marriage.

Fr. John Hogan, a priest in the eastern port town of Drogheda, in his homily last Sunday criticized civil partnership legislation.

“Catholic members of the Oireachtas (national parliament) cannot support it while remaining in good standing with the Church,” he preached, according to the Irish Times.

He also quoted from a 2003 Vatican document on such legislation which said voting for such a law “so harmful to the common good” is “immoral.” The document was promulgated by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.

A delegate to the lower assembly of the Oireachtas was in the congregation.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, whose constituency includes Drogheda, reacted to the homily on the radio station LMFM.

“I am a republican. My party is a republican party. As always from the foundation of the State, there has been a very definite line between issues of Church and State and that is exactly my position.”

“When I legislate, particular as a Government Minister, I don’t bring whatever religion I have to the table,” he said.

Fr. Hogan defended his homily, saying that as a Catholic priest he is “bound to Christ’s church’s teaching on this issue.”

“I have a duty to remind the faithful of this teaching.”

In November 2008, Cardinal Seán Brady reacted to a bill aimed at giving legal recognition to civil partnerships by saying that marriage must be specially protected in the Irish Constitution.

“Those who are committed to the probity of the Constitution, to the moral integrity of the Word of God and to the precious human value of marriage between a man and a woman as the foundation of society may have to pursue all avenues of legal and democratic challenge to the published legislation,” he remarked.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin supported the cardinal's reaction to the bill, but his remarks were construed by the press as being in favor of the legislation.

Comments: 5

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Donal O'Sullivan-Latchford
Dublin/Ireland 07/20/2009 10:07 AM EST

The truly frightening thing about the Justice Minister's response is that he doesn't merely seem to be disagreeing with the criticism directed at his anti-marriage legislation. No, the Minister (for "Justice", ironically) implies that this "turbulent priest" should not even make his religious views known-- views, in fact, which simply echo the Natural Law as expressed in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Minister says that, when he is legislating, he doesn't bring "whatever religion he has" to "the table (of Government)". It seems now that a priest, when he is preaching, is expected not to bring his Catholic Faith to "the table of The Word".

Published by: Donal O'Sullivan-Latchford
Dublin Ireland 07/18/2009 03:42 AM EST

The truly frightening thing about the Justice Minister's response is that he doesn't merely seem to be disagreeing with the criticism directed at his anti-marriage legislation. No, the Minister (for "Justice", ironically) implies that this "turbulent priest" should not even make his religious views known -- views, in fact, which simply echo the Natural Law as expressed in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Minister says that, when he is legislating, he doesn't bring "whatever religion he has" to "the table (of Government)". It seems now that a priest, when he is preaching, is expected not to bring his Catholic Faith to "the table of The Word".

Published by: Jackson
America 07/17/2009 09:10 PM EST

I'm pretty sure the Irish people can determine what is moral and immoral more suitably than the Church at this time. The Irish state is more in tune with modernity than pronouncements from theologians who study books and defend a hierarchy of unelected representatives.

Published by: William P. Murphy
United States 07/17/2009 03:41 PM EST

I applaud Father Hogan in defense of his homily on the sanctity of Marriage.

It is time Catholic Politians the world over stood firm and lived as Roman Catholics in both name and practice.

For the common good of the citizens Catholic Politicans represent, it is important to introduce Catholic Moral teaching into the Public Arena for the common good of all.

Moral chaos, confusion,the death of the Celtic Tiger, and yes, this world wide economic downturn are the result of "Taking God Out of The Equation".

It is about time we all declared dependence upon a Higher Authority and placed God back in "The Equation".
Sincerely,
William P. Murphy

Published by: DLL
scituate mass 07/17/2009 02:11 AM EST

People living outside of a traditional marriage are cohabitating couples assuming there are only 2. Fr Hogan must teach the dogmas of the Catholic Church. The church must acknowlege absolute truth.Who could respect the church if they didn't. Marriage is between a Man and a Woman.DOGMA! No Lie!

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