The Northern Ireland Assembly rejected a motion for gay marriage to be legally recognized in the the Province Monday.
In a landslide win, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) voted against the motion 53 to 42. A similar motion was denied in October of last year during a previous debate.
The new motion was introduced by Sinn Fein, the oldest Republican political movement in Ireland, on the heels of a decision made by the Republic of Ireland to have a referendum on redefining marriage.
Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister Sammy Wilson explained the October win, stating that there is no widespread public support to redefine marriage in Northern Ireland.
“I am opposed to gay marriage, I would have no intention of bringing forward any legislation to this House to facilitate gay marriage and I believe that in doing that I do reflect what is the general view in this society in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Christians throughout Northern Ireland, including The Christian Institute’s staff in Belfast, proactively protested the gay marriage measure and encouraged MLA’s to vote against it.
Now they’re rejoicing over the recent win leaving many agreeing with Mike Judge, Head of Communications at The Christian Institute, “that the plans to redefine marriage can be defeated when people are prepared to take action.”
However, Patrick Corrigan program director for Amnesty International in Northern Ireland, warns that since Northern Ireland is a UK territory it must recognize legislation passed by the state, “That obligation is clear in international law. This means marriage should be available to same sex couples in Northern Ireland just as soon as it will be to couples in other parts of the UK.”
In the meantime, Northern Ireland Christians are thanking God for preserving the sanctity of marriage in their Province.