The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has voiced its dissatisfaction over the proposed wording for the imminent constitutional amendments pertaining to care and family set for voting in Friday’s referendums. In an official statement, the church’s public affairs council has highlighted ambiguity and vagueness in some of the amendments, suggesting that they are unlikely to bring about significant societal impact.
The amendment proposal to diminish the connection between marriage and family has drawn particular criticism, reflecting what the church views as a shift in Irish cultural perspectives. The government’s proposition in the March 8th referendums to broaden the constitutional understanding of family and “durable relationships”, such as unmarried couples with children, and to alter terminology about “women in the home” to acknowledge familial care, is a point of contention.
As articulated in the church statement, there is disappointment that the planned alteration for Article 41.3.1, stating that ‘the family is founded upon the institution of marriage’, is set to break the connection between marriage and family. Despite recognizing the existence of various types of families not based on a traditional view of marriage, the church still strongly adheres to the biblical definition of marriage as foundational for society.
The suggested amendments to Article 41.3.1 include the phrase ‘other durable relationships’, a term which the church believes lacks clarity and may lead to significant societal problems. Additionally, the church has expressed concerns over the potential inadvertent societal devaluation of the essential roles of women and mothers in the home following the proposed removal of the Article.
The Church has expressed concerns regarding the amendment of the 41.2.2 Article’s second segment, as the substitution of ‘economic’ and ‘labour’ with the ambiguous term ‘support’ fails to acknowledge the significant economic and social contribution of parents, particularly those who opt to stay at home during a child’s early years. The proposal to change 41.2.2 has also raised concerns due to the omission of any mention of parents, an aspect that disregards their crucial role in a child’s life. The Church wishes to see the bond between a child and their parents validated.
The statement came to a close by asserting that these issues fall in the realm of public decision-making as part of its Presbyterian ethos rooted in democracy. As such, Church members are urged to give their vote and contemplate these matters with utmost diligence and prayerful consideration.
For comprehensive coverage of the referendum, click here. You can also subscribe to our Inside Politics Podcast for the most recent political analysis and discussions. Subscribe to our push alerts to get the top news, analysis, and commentary delivered straight to your phone. To keep up to date, find The Irish Times on WhatsApp.