Irish Wedding News
07/07/2014
The United Reformed Church has failed to reach an agreement to allow it to hold same-sex weddings in the UK.
The decision was made as the church held its General Assembly meting in Cardiff over the weekend. It is understood that while a "clear majority" was in favour of holding the ceremonies, Reverend John Proctor, General Secretary, said the Church needed a "full consensus" on the issue.
He said: "A clear majority of members of Assembly expressed the view that local congregations should be permitted to offer same-sex marriage to those who seek that opportunity.
"However, because our decision-making process is based on the seeking of full consensus, Assembly was unable to reach agreement."
Currently, the Church allows civil partnership ceremonies to be held within its buildings, but following the legalisation of gay marriage in England and Wales earlier this year, religious organisations now need to "opt in" to offering marriages to gay couples.
The first same-sex weddings took place in England and Wales on 29 March. The Church of England and Church in Wales, which voiced its opposition to the changes, are banned in law from offering gay weddings. Earlier this year, Scotland passed a similar law and the first ceremonies are expected to be held in October. In Northern Ireland, the government has said it has no plans to introduce same-sex marriage legislation.
(JP/MH)
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Church Disagrees On Same-Sex Weddings
The United Reformed Church has failed to reach an agreement to allow it to hold same-sex weddings in the UK.
The decision was made as the church held its General Assembly meting in Cardiff over the weekend. It is understood that while a "clear majority" was in favour of holding the ceremonies, Reverend John Proctor, General Secretary, said the Church needed a "full consensus" on the issue.
He said: "A clear majority of members of Assembly expressed the view that local congregations should be permitted to offer same-sex marriage to those who seek that opportunity.
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"However, because our decision-making process is based on the seeking of full consensus, Assembly was unable to reach agreement."
Currently, the Church allows civil partnership ceremonies to be held within its buildings, but following the legalisation of gay marriage in England and Wales earlier this year, religious organisations now need to "opt in" to offering marriages to gay couples.
The first same-sex weddings took place in England and Wales on 29 March. The Church of England and Church in Wales, which voiced its opposition to the changes, are banned in law from offering gay weddings. Earlier this year, Scotland passed a similar law and the first ceremonies are expected to be held in October. In Northern Ireland, the government has said it has no plans to introduce same-sex marriage legislation.
(JP/MH)
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