A Limerick-based Augustinian priest Fr Iggy O’Donovan has vowed to vote yes in the upcoming referendum on Marriage Equality.

He is the first priest to admit that he will defy Catholic ideology and vote for marriage equality in May.

Fr O’Donovan told the Irish Independent about his intentions as he criticised Bishop Kevin Doran’s remarks on Newstalk yesterday.

Fr O’Donovan explained that though he is “an absolute believer in Catholic teaching on marriage”, he will not hesitate to vote for marriage equality, after working for years with young, gay Catholics.

“I accept that there are people with different but deeply held views to me and I respect their views and I don’t think I have the right to impose my views on them,” he said.

He also admitted that due to the Catholic church’s recent controversies, they need to practice more tact when it comes to topics such as this.

“In view of our recent history, our [the Church’s] street credibility in these areas is not very high – so it is an area we need to be extra-sensitive around and Bishop Doran must know that.”

“As we learn more, it would be more unforgivable for us to get it wrong,” he warned.

Yesterday, religious group Faith in Marriage Equality criticised Bishop Doran’s comments that gay people with children “are not parents”.