The five Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland have called for protections from charges of discrimination for members who refuse to officiate at same-sex marriages or facilitate same-sex couples with marriage preparation.

Responding to the Northern Ireland Office Consultation on what is termed “Religious Same-Sex Marriage”, they welcomed some aspects of the proposed new regime.

However, they sought assurance that Catholic Church agencies would not “be compelled to provide marriage preparation, relationship counselling or other marriage related services in respect of those contracting same-sex marriage, should they believe it is inconsistent with their religious belief to do so.”

They also asked for “explicit provision” to protect faith-based organisations which provided services in support of marriage and the family “from being discriminated against in access to public funds because of their beliefs in respect of same-sex marriage.”

Committed Catholics “cannot be asked or expected to create a false division between their faith and their public, professional life” they said, and believed this should also be recognised.