<p><img alt= src=https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/rainbow%20over%20Dublin%20as%20marriage%20equality%20voted%20in.jpg style=border-style:solid; border-width:3px; float:right; height:199px; margin:3px; width:300px /></p> <p>DignityUSA congratulates and thanks the people of Ireland and especially our fellow Catholics for their overwhelming vote in favor of marriage equality. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke said It is very significant that the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage by popular referendum is a predominantly Catholic country. This demonstrates that Catholics understand and live by the true values of our faithlove family inclusion and honoring the dignity of all people. They voted with their hearts and their consciences and the result is increased justice.</p> <p>We appreciate the gracious and respectful concession of those whose consciences led them to vote against the referendum. We pray that there will be peace and unity throughout the country as implementation of marriage equality moves forward. We hope that the leaders of the Catholic Church will honor the decision made through the democratic process and will not take any punitive action or make negative statements against Catholics or political leaders who voted in favor of marriage equality.</p> <p>This is a great day for the people of Ireland for same-sex couples throughout the world and for the Catholic Church. I believe in the long run this day will be seen as a turning point for our Church as it will serve as a wake-up call for our bishops and the Pope. I believe they will be called to an examination of conscience to understand why Catholics support lesbian and gay couples and our families so strongly.</p> <p class=rtecenter><em>####</em></p> <p><em>DignityUSA is the nations foremost organization of lesbian gay bisexual and transgender Catholics their families friends and supporters. It is a founding member of the Equally Blessed and NunJustice Coalitions.</em></p>