Martin: church needs to be 'respectful' in gay marriage debate
The Archbishop of Dublin says the Catholic Church will remain opposed to gay marriage - but must learn to "fight its battles" in a more respectful way.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said there is a growing divergence between the Church's view on marriage and that of wider society.
He said the Church's position won't change, but it must remain respectful in the debate.
"The church has taken a very strong line, and I don't think people would expect the church to not to do that," he said.
"But it would be done - and this is important - the church has to learn how to fight its battles in a respectful and in a noble way."
His comments come after the Chairperson of the Constitutional Convention, Tom Arnold, urged the Government to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage.
Over 79% of the Convention favoured legalising marriage between two people of the same sex.
