By Sarah Mac Donald - 13 July, 2015
Bishop Kevin Doran. Photo Clare Frances Photography
The Diocese of Elphin has questioned why some political parties are fundraising at local church gates despite advocating policies which undermine marriage and protection of the unborn.
In a statement posted on Elphin’s Facebook page, the West of Ireland diocese suggested that those political parties which have “consistently advocated policies and introduced legislation which undermine marriage and the right to life of the unborn” should think again before holding church gate collections.
In the statement, the diocese which is led by Bishop Kevin Doran said, “There is no obligation on any political party to support the Church, and certainly not to legislate in accordance with Church teaching.”
The statement continued, “It does seem rather lacking in respect for people’s faith, however, that political parties which have consistently advocated policies and introduced legislation which undermine marriage and the right to life of the unborn, should turn up outside our Church gates, Sunday after Sunday to ask Mass-goers to fund their activities.”
Acknowledging that political parties are legally entitled to do so, the diocese has suggested that “common decency would suggest that they go and collect somewhere else”.
