In the forthcoming referendum on divorce, it is only a 'yes' vote which warrants the absolute respect for the dignity and rights of persons, and the recognition and respect for their legitimate rights, the Catholics for Divorce group said.

The group said that the referendum is not about giving or denying moral or religious legitimacy to divorce. It is about accepting or refusing whether the State will continue to have a right to impose a particular morality on the whole population irrespective whether its citizens are Catholic or not.

"Whether Catholics stand in favour or against divorce as such is beside the point.

"We consider it deceitful for our Catholic brothers and sisters to present the referendum issue in this way, thus misleading many a conscientious Catholic.

"Though we, as Catholics, may be a million times against divorce, never once can we be in favour of a state imposing the will, beliefs and practices of one particular creed, be it Catholic or not, on citizens who do not share that faith. It is for this reason that our duty, as Catholics, is to vote 'yes' in the forthcoming referendum.