Like many of us here, I can be cynical about politics. But how can one be cynical today? The men and women of Ireland, in the privacy of the voting booth, made a global first by voting by an almost a 2:1 margin for marriage equality. 42 of 43 constituencies voted yes, rural or urban, traditional or cosmopolitan. Counters ran out of space to tally “Yes” votes on their sheets. The tide was overwhelming in Ireland and the celebration fixes to be as well. To see the land of my heritage, and a country where I have lived and whose passport I hold strong so firmly for the 21st century is moving. The people spoke, and spoke well.
But what I see as a lesson for the United States is this: there was fortune to be made off a no vote. A political operator could have built favors for the still powerful Catholic Church and curried affection from the hundreds of thousands who said no. Despite that, though, nobody of significance did — an occasional Senator turfed from their party perhaps, but few groups of any historical note. The nationalist Marxists in Sinn Fein said yes to equality alongside economic rightists in Fianna Fail. As far back as 2013, all political parties in the Irish legislature supported equality. That exploitable terrain of “no” was so poisoned by retrograde fear that few voices that command attention tread there. The leaders of Ireland led — they said “yes” because it was the right thing to do, and discharging one’s job with honor is more important than keeping it for another term. That makes the onward march of equality through the Emerald Isle sweeter tonight.
…does that make you a citizen and thus eligible to vote in this election? There were news stories about Irish living abroad returning to voter.
But you need an address in Ireland, and be registered at that address. Same as with an American passport.
for leading the way on equality.
And my dear friend, Terry McGinty, wants to know what’s wrong with my Italian ancestors ?
They’re probably drinking wine and making love. They’ll get around to it eventually.
Long Live Ireland !
Fred Rich LaRiccia
I am reminded of my Irish grandmother, when I asked her how she felt after Goodridge giving the best answer “who cares? Why fight other people’s happiness”. She had wisdom eluding many of her generation, and would have been elated to see the country of her father take this great leap.
Although, that 25% of me that’s ethnically Italian will probably have to wait a few more years until Italy is willing to so utterly buck the Catholic Church — or for the Catholic Church to come around.
But maybe not as long as we think, their PM seems pretty socially liberal, and the Popes cool with civil unions.
The church could get rid of mandatory celibacy for both gay and straight clergy.
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He has stated his own opposition to women in the priesthood, but he is open to easing the celibacy requirement and clearly has no problem with celibate gay priests serving in the ministry ( the specific context of the ‘ who am I to judge?’ quote). Those other two changes would be a more radical departure , but, he has allowed the progressive wing to be an open and equal partner in the life of the Church, rehabilitating liberation theology and allowing truly open debate at the Synod. I doubt these Irish bishops would have been allowed to be so conciliatory and accommodating in their language under the last Pope.
The usually insepid Frank Bruni has a great op-ed showing how the Catholic people are leading the way on the issue of gay marriage. In many ways, Vatican II was supposed to put to rest the notion that the entire Church, laity included, was the Body of Christ. Some cardinals, like Burke, didn’t learn. But others like Walter Kasper, who has the ear of the Pope, is reiterating that the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful) has to have as much weight on the hierarchy as tradition. In many cases, the Pope feels it should have more weight.