Editing Diarmuid Martin (section)

===Civil partnerships legislation===
In response to comments by Cardinal [[Seán Brady (bishop)|Seán Brady]] on the [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Ireland|Civil Partnership Bill]], Martin said: "We haven't expressed an opinion as an [[Episcopal Conference]] [on the bill]. I don't think anyone in the conference is against what Cardinal Brady said, but they may have said it in different ways." He also said that while the Catholic Church favoured marriage, "it is not against other forms of intimacy".<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1126/1227486583451.html Bishops differ over emphasis on civil unions]. ''The Irish Times''. Published 11 November 2008.</ref>

Martin told the ''Irish Independent'' in 2004 that "I recognise that there are many different kinds of caring relationships and these often create dependencies for those involved. The State may feel in justice that the rights of people in these relationships need to be protected." He emphasised he was not thinking mainly of homosexual relationships, but rather of caring, dependent relationships in general. At the same time, he said, he did not exclude homosexual relationships. Martin said: "I have a wide range of relationships in mind. I do not exclude gay relationships but my main concern is with all caring relationships where dependencies have come into being."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/archbishop-backs-legal-rights-for-gay-couples-143493.html|title=Archbishop backs legal rights for gay couples - Independent.ie|work=Independent.ie|access-date=2018-08-19|language=en}}</ref>