IRELAND
Vatican Radio
(Vatican Radio) Ireland’s government is asking voters to insert stronger rights for children into the constitution, a measure designed to make it easier for state agencies to protect children from abuse and for neglected children to be adopted.
But the campaign to secure a “yes” vote in Saturday’s referendum has taken a last-minute surprise hit from the Irish Supreme Court. The five-judge court ruled that the government’s information booklet urging a “yes” vote, mailed to every household in this country of 4.6 million, was not fully accurate and violated referendum laws. The government apologized but urged voters still to vote yes.
The Irish Bishops have given a cautious welcome to the referendum, encouraging Catholics to vote yes. “It is definitely a step in the right direction” says Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore Diocese in an interview with Emer McCarthy. “The Irish bishops believe that the constitution has an important role in signalling the priorities and fundamental values of our society. One of those priorities about which there is an enhanced sensitivity is the rights of the child”. Listen:
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