Donegal-based Christian advocacy group RENEW is challenging the Government over its Civil Partnership Bill which has been debated in the Dáil. RENEW says the Bill outwardly discriminates against Christians and Catholics.
RENEW founder, and Buncrana native, Mary Doherty says, “the Civil Partnership Bill will ultimately dilute the sanctity of marriage and remove the core protection of the state from the traditional family unit. We are calling on our TD’s and Senators t
o review the Bill in this context and to give due regard to the Irish constitution which has the family at its centre.”
The Bill which gives same sex couples many of the rights of married couples has been described as “a blatant dismissal of family life.” Mary Doherty says, “this Bill imposes the agenda of same sex couples on us. What about the rights of Catholics and Christians who do not believe that same sex couples should get married or have children? What is the Government going to do about our rights? The government represents the common good not the minority.”
RENEW likens the Bill to Communist Europe and says that Communism is alive and well with publication of this Bill. Mary Doherty says that apparent legal guarantees given to the Irish people by the Government during the second Lisbon Treaty Referendum in respect of the family are misleading and challenges government saying “where are those guarantees now in the context of the Civil Partnership Bill?”
RENEW seeks to influence and renew modern day thinking in regard to human behaviour and to position itself as an authoritative voice on Christian moral values.
According to Mary Doherty, “we see our organisaiton as promoting progression through renewal, that is, re-introducing traditional values into family life. With the advent of the recession and the decline in living standards in Irish society we believe that there is a need to reaffirm tradtional family and moral values. We want to see a change in direction from Government, the media and our educational institutions whom we believe are the key influencers in modern Irish society.”
RENEW will be campaigning against the introduction of the Civil Partnership Bill and intends to lobby all Government TD’s and Senators. Those wishing to support RENEW’s campaign can sign a petition on their website www.renewcampaign.com
