Christian and Muslim representatives in Ireland have issued a joint call for a conscience clause to be included in legislation in the event of a Yes result in the same-sex marriage referendum.

In a document submitted to the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, members of the Catholic Church, the Reformed Presbyterian and Quaker churches, together with the Irish Council of Imams and the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland urged legal protection for people of faith who may find themselves sanctioned for discrimination in holding true to their beliefs “in employment, worship or social interaction”.

“We the under-signed, for reasons of faith, consider the state of marriage the exclusive province of a man and a woman. This is the understanding of all revealed religions,” the petition reads.

“The current wording of the 34th amendment of the Constitution on Marriage Equality and Implementation Bill not only allows for same-sex marriage, but obliges all citizens and residents of Ireland to endorse same-sex marriage or potentially face prosecution.

“The proposed amendment states marriage may be contracted in accordance of the law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.

“We therefore respectfully request that Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald provide for and safeguard the right of people on grounds of ‘conscience’ to abstain from endorsing same-sex marriages while in employment, worship or through social interaction.”