Cardinal Raymond Burke, patron of the Order of Malta and one of the most senior Cardinals in the church last night branded the Irish people as worse than pagans for legalising same-sex marriage. 

Burke was speaking to Oxford University’s Catholic Society, where he stated that he didn't understand why any nation would redefine marriage, and according to The Tablet was visibly emotional and moved as he discussed the issue. 

He added that the Irish citizens had defied God in their actions, saying "I mean, this is a defiance of God. It’s just incredible. Pagans may have tolerated homosexual behaviours, they never dared to say this was marriage."

The Cardinals comments come after Pietro Parolin, one of the most senior officials at the Vatican, said that the 'Yes' vote was a defeat for humanity. The more than 1.2 million people who voted for the change in the constitution have a rather different opinion on the matter anyway. 

Via The Tablet