Minister for Children Katherine Zappone lobbied Tánaiste Simon Coveney that no State funding would be used to finance the World Meeting of Families (WMoF) in Dublin attended by Pope Francis in August due to her disgust at the removal of references to lesbian, gay and transgender Catholics from some publicity materials for the event.
“Very serious concerns have been brought to my attention by former president Mary McAleese and others regarding the forthcoming World Meeting of Families and the potential use of State funding. As a Government Minister I share these concerns and believe they must be urgently addressed,” she wrote.

“These actions have raised the prospect that the meeting will include statements on homosexuality, gay marriage and gay adoption which will cause great hurt and offence, not just in our communities but to people worldwide,” Ms Zappone said in her letter, which she copied to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

She wrote to Mr Coveney, whose Department of Foreign Affairs managed the Pope’s visit, seeking assurances that State funding “will not be used to support views and events which do not represent Government policy.”

“Our Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs has been to the forefront in promoting equality and human rights offering hope to those facing inequality, discrimination and abuse,” she wrote.

“Financial support for an event which encourages discrimination and inequality undermines and comprises this work, which has the support of the Irish people.”