Ireland cuts blasphemy ban from constitution

Irish voters chose to remove a blasphemy ban from the country’s constitution on Friday, reflecting a quick social shift in what has long been a conservative, Roman Catholic nation. Close to 65 percent voted in favor of the measure, with the strongest support among voters under the age of 35. Forty-four percent of eligible voters participated. The last time someone was prosecuted for blasphemy was more than 150 years ago, though a law against it was passed in 2009. After the Irish vote to legalize abortion earlier this year, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, it seems secularism’s hold on the country is only getting stronger.

Voters also elected Michael Higgins to a second term as president, Ireland’s largely ceremonial head of state.