Ireland on May 22 became the first country to hold a public vote amending its constitution to allow gay “marriage,” but the change will not force houses of worship to perform the unions.
Instead gay couples will be able to enter into “civil marriage,” a separate institution from but affording all the legal benefits of “religious marriage,” according to the Yes Equality civil group that spearheaded the drive for the constitutional change.
“Churches will be able to continue with religious ceremonies and will not be required to conduct wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples,” the group’s website reads.
Ireland’s Justice Department plans to draft a marriage bill that will permit those taking vows in civil ceremonies to choose either to be “husband and wife” or “spouses of each other,” satisfying the demands of religious groups including Catholics, Protestants and Muslims that no church will be required to perform gay “marriage” in the country.
62.1 percent ‘for’
According to official results announced May 23, votes in favor of the change totaled 1,201,607, while 734,300 voted against it.
Ireland is the second country in 2015 to approve gay “marriage,” following Finland.
(Baptist Press)
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