A Limerick-based Augustinian priest has revealed that he will  be breaking with ranks on May 22nd and voting Yes in the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum. 

Fr Iggy O'Donovan said his decision came after years of pastoral work with young gay people in his church.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Fr O'Donovan said: “It is possible to have deep and passionately-held convictions without seeking to have those convictions imposed by the State on fellow citizens who do not share them”.

He added: “respect for the freedom of others who differ from us is part and parcel of the faith we profess. For these and for other reasons I will be voting Yes”.

His comments come in the wake of statements made by Bishop Kevin Doran earlier this week. Bishop Doran, speaking to Newstalk, said: “Some people perhaps have a predisposition genetically to being gay; perhaps in some cases people are gay because of contexts, circumstances related to their own experience of life as young people."

Bishop Kevin Doran, who is advocating a No vote, admitted to struggling with his own sexuality in his teens

“One of the things I would suggest also from my own experience working as a university chaplain would be that many young people in their late teens are confused about their sexuality, understandably I think. I’d have to say I was myself.”

Bishop Doran is advocating a No vote in the upcoming referendum.