Plan for same-sex marriage in 2015

Sir, – Mark McGrail (November 18th) wishes to exclude theological considerations from the debate on what he calls “marriage equality” on the basis that it will only affect civil marriage as defined in this Republic.

The institution of marriage pre-dates Bunreacht na hÉireann by several thousand years. It was not created by our Constitution, but recognised by it. It would therefore seem to be legitimate, if considering radical amendments to an institution considerably older than the State, that one might debate it in the broadest possible terms, particularly given that the great majority of marriages in this country, while civil, are also sacramental. – Yours, etc,

CHRISTOPHER

Mc CAMLEY,

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Forest View,

Newtown,

Drogheda,

Co Louth.