Voters rejected the amendments which aimed to redefine family structures and address outdated language regarding women's roles in the home.

Despite Varadkar's advocacy for updating the constitution to reflect modern societal norms and gender equality, the electorate's sentiment proved otherwise.

"Clearly, we got it wrong" Varadkar conceded, acknowledging widespread disappointment with the proposed changes.

Women in the home

The proposed amendments sought to redefine the family unit, allowing it to be based on marriage or other durable relationships. They also removed language implying a woman's primary role in the home and emphasised state support for caregiving within families.

The change was pushed not only by the government but also by the vast majority of opposition parties. However the amendments were defeated, with over 65 percent voting ‘No'.

The rejection of the amendments signifies a significant moment in Ireland's ongoing transition from a traditionally conservative Catholic nation to a more socially liberal society.

Over the years, Ireland has witnessed substantial constitutional reforms including legalising divorce in 1995, approving same-sex marriage in 2015 and repealing the ban on abortions in 2018.

Confusion

Despite initial polling indicating support for the amendments, many voters remained undecided as the vote approached.

Concerns were raised about ambiguity and potential negative implications, with some expressing confusion over the proposed changes.

"I thought it was too rushed" said Una Ui Dhuinn, a nurse in Dublin. "I felt we didn't get enough time to think about it and read up on it. So I felt, to be on the safe side, ‘no, no' — no change."

Caoimhe Doyle, a doctoral student, said she voted yes to changing the definition of family but no to the care amendment because "I don't think it was explained very well."

"There's a worry there that they're removing the burden on the state to take care of families" she said.

Irish bishops concerned

The Irish bishops expressed reservations about the proposed amendments, emphasising the unique importance of the relationship between marriage, family and societal values. They stressed the need to preserve mothers' distinct roles and contributions while acknowledging the evolving dynamics of family life in contemporary Ireland.

Sources

Crux Now

Euro News

A new report issued last Thursday by former European Union official Catherine Day focused on the relationship between the Irish state and Church-run hospitals.

There are twelve Catholic hospitals in the Republic of Ireland, all of which receive state funding.

The report said, "A number of people who responded to the consultation felt that the religious ethos of an organization was apparent in its décor, through the presence of chapels, religious icons, logos and posters.

"While not directly related to the range or delivery of services, we recommend that organizations should be cognisant of the impact of décor on patients/service users and strive to ensure that their personal preferences in this regard are met to the greatest extent possible."

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar says the report won't force hospitals to remove religious symbols from the public areas of their facilities.

"It's not a campaign from the Government or anyone around removing cribs or crucifixes or statues of Our Lady - that's not what's going to happen.

"But it is a message to charities and voluntary bodies that do run hospitals and schools just to have regard to these things," he says.

"It is the 21st century, things have changed, a lot of patients, a lot of kids aren't religious, maybe aren't Roman Catholic, and the ethos of an institution that's publicly funded should reflect the public, not just any one section of the public," Varadkar told the radio station.

Varadkar says he does not believe in banning religious symbols. However, he would like more diversity of those symbols.

"I'd have a crib, I'd have a menorah and something for Eid too. Lots of parish schools recognise that they have children from other traditions."

Source

• CruxNow
• LifeSite News
• Image: independent.ie