The head of the Irish Church has written to Northern Ireland’s Equality Commission over a newspaper’s refusal to publish a paid advertisement containing the Bishops of Northern Ireland’s statement in advance of the Assembly elections in May.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said the Belfast Telegraph’s refusal to carry the advertisement raised fundamental questions about the equal access of religious groups and people of faith to such commercial services.
In his letter to Dr Evelyn Collins, chief executive of the Equality Commission NI, Archbishop Martin said the issues he was raising “are of fundamental importance to equality of treatment and respect for religious freedom”.
He said the advertisement contained the established and widely published position of the Catholic Church on a range of issues.
However, despite accepting full payment for the requested statement to be published as an advertisement, the newspaper subsequently refused to publish it unless the bishops made changes to their comments on abortion.
“When we refused to make the requested changes to our religious opinion, to accommodate the opinion of the editor, our payment was returned,” Archbishop Martin explained.
He also highlighted that another newspaper, The Irish News, did accept and publish the advertisement, without amendment.
Archbishop Martin told Dr Collins that the bishops believe it would be helpful for all parties, as well as for other faith groups who may wish to seek a similar commercial service in the future, to get clarification and advice from the Equality Commission about the situation that has arisen.
“We believe there are many in the Catholic community, and in other faith-based communities, who are deeply concerned about the decision of the Belfast Telegraph to refuse to carry our paid-for advertisement without amendment.” He said the bishops would consider their next steps when they have received this advice.
According to the Irish Independent, the Belfast Telegraph said in a statement: “All advertising containing uncontested opinion and views, especially ahead of an election, is subject to review before publishing. We are subject to regulation by the Advertising Standards Authority. The suggested edits did not alter the Church’s core anti-abortion message.”
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