Two Labour TDs have said that the Catholic Church should come out in support of the Government’s children’s rights 
referendum.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday in the debate on the referendum, Anne Ferris (pictured) and Michael McNamara said the Church should support the amendment.
They were echoing comments made on Wednesday by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, calling for the Churches to support the Government’s proposed referendum.
Following their Autumn meeting, the Catholic bishops hierarchy said they will study the wording of the Government’s proposed children’s referendum before issuing an opinion.
They said they had discussed the wording, but that “given the importance of the issues involved for the future of both the family and children, the bishops will issue a considered statement on this matter in the coming weeks
Ms told the Dail Ferris said she would like “the Churches to come out in support of the proposal”.
She added: “Their silence on this issue is disturbing, in my view. As a Catholic and as a person who was adopted, I would like them to take the steps to demonstrate their support.”
Her call was echoed by another Labour TD, Michael McCarthy, who said that the referendum was an “opportunity for the Catholic hierarchy to redeem itself in terms of protection of children and children’s rights”.
But he accused the Catholic bishops of “a deafening silence” on the subject of children’s rights.