Babylon
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 5, 2009
- 1,332
- 82
Gay church marriages set to get the go-ahead
Gay couples currently cannot get married in religious settings
Ministers will publish plans to change the law to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales.
But churches will not be compelled to hold ceremonies if individual clergy are opposed on religious grounds.
The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam.
Currently same-sex marriages are banned from using hymns or even readings from the Bible.
The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers.
The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats.
The Telegraph says the Church of England has already said it will not allow any of its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies.
But Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the paper.
The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer.
The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so.
"Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course."
Gay couples currently cannot get married in religious settings
Ministers will publish plans to change the law to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is to propose lifting the ban on civil partnerships taking place in religious settings in England and Wales.
But churches will not be compelled to hold ceremonies if individual clergy are opposed on religious grounds.
The legislation would also cover synagogues and mosques although homosexuality is forbidden under Islam.
Currently same-sex marriages are banned from using hymns or even readings from the Bible.
The changes will be welcomed by gay rights campaigners but are likely to raise the ire of many churchgoers.
The Sunday Telegraph claims the decision to push ahead with the legislation is a victory for Mrs Featherstone and her fellow Liberal Democrats.
The Telegraph says the Church of England has already said it will not allow any of its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies.
But Quakers, Unitarians, and Liberal Jews are thought to be more sympathetic to the idea, says the paper.
The move follows an amendment to the Equality Act by Lord Alli, a Labour peer.
The Home Office spokesman said: "The government is currently considering what the next stage should be for civil partnerships, including how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples to register their relationship in a religious setting if they wish to do so.
"Ministers have met a range of people and organisations to hear their views on this issue. An announcement will be made in due course."