Irish cast ballots in favour of same-sex unions

Referendum: 62.1 per cent of citizens vote 'Yes' in 42 of 43 constituencies

Celtic cross gravestones seen in Dublin. (Photo credit: Lonely Planet.)

A cardinal's eyes are not smiling after the May 23 referendum in Ireland, in which Irish voters legalized same-sex unions. The result will allow politicians to amend the Irish constitution.

“I was deeply saddened by the result,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.

“The Church must take account of this reality, but in the sense that it must strengthen its commitment to evangelisation. I think that you cannot just talk of a defeat for Christian principles, but of a defeat for humanity.”

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin told reporters:

“We [the Church] have to stop and have a reality check, not move into denial of the realities … I appreciate how gay and lesbian men and women feel on this day. That they feel this is something that is enriching the way they live. I think it is a social revolution.”

The prelate concluded:  

“I ask myself, 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.”