Whether gay sex and marriage is moral or immoral, I do not believe that church or civil authorities should have the right to interfere with it. And even if the majority of voters opposes gay marriage, I do not believe that the majority should have the right to interfere with the rights of individuals to marry whom they choose. I was worried about the election in Ireland, because I was afraid that gay marriage might easily become a victim of the tyranny of the majority - and I'm very relieved by the results of this election.

As a Catholic, I hope that my church can respond to these election results graciously. I do think that church leaders have a right to question the morality of gay marriage - despite that fact that I disagree with them. I believe that it is a very healthy thing if we are free to question - even if we disagree with the majority opinion, or the opinion of those in authority.

This change took place in Ireland because the Irish people have finally come to realize that they are and should be free to question. Now, I hope that the future majority will not impose a new oppression upon those who question their decision.

My last trip to Ireland was a tour sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, of which I am an associate member. I visited convents and talked with nuns all over Ireland. Most are very much like the nuns I know in the U.S. - very open about questioning the male leadership of the Catholic Church. Yes, I did meet some Catholic lay people in Ireland who were so conservative it was frightening, but the priests and nuns I met were far more open to questioning authority that many of you might think.

So, I'm glad that gay marriage was victorious in the Irish election, and I'm hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will soon make gay marriage lawful throughout the United States.

It's about time.

-Joe Offer-