"Holding our marriage to ransom" - groom hits out at priest for challenging his support for abortion reform and casts doubt on whether he and his fiancée can marry in a Catholic church #BBCNolan

May 30, 2018, 09:11 AM

A local couple, one of whom supported repealing the eighth amendment, say they are now going to have a civil ceremony because a priest won't marry them.

Yesterday we heard on this show how that priest said that if Catholics advocate or promote abortion, it may impact on the appropriateness of him celebrating their marriage or the wedding taking place in a Catholic church at all.

Father Damien Quigley wrote to the couple, saying

"just a heads up that, as the priest you've asked to celebrate your wedding for you, you and I would need to have a conversation about any promotion you may do to advocate for abortion in Ireland. Such promotion or advocacy would impact on the appropriateness of me celebrating your wedding or possibly, the wedding taking place in a catholic church. I'm sure we can have a good chat over a coffee sometime soon."

The Nolan show has spoken to Father Quigley, who has confirmed he wrote to the couple.

He said it was a private message and is refusing to comment beyond his brief statement.