Referendum approves legalizing gay marriage

Roman Catholic archbishop acknowledges the challenge facing the church in wake of election

The people of Ireland have backed same-sex marriage in a referendum that marked a dramatic social shift in a traditionally Roman Catholic country that decriminalized homosexuality only two decades ago.

After one of the largest turnouts for a referendum in the country, 62 percent of voters said "yes", making Ireland the first country to adopt same-sex marriage via a popular vote.