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Civil partnership ceremonies in UK Churches

Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone has announced that by the end of the year vicars will be able to apply for approval for their churches to host civil partnership ceremonies, which at present are only allowed to be non-religious.

The Church of England has said it had no intention of opening its own churches for same-sex couples to register or bless their partnerships. It is believed by Christian critics that reluctant churches would be pressured or driven by the courts to offer civil partnerships despite assurances from ministers that no church will be forced to accept them.

Lynne Featherstone, equalities minister said "the reforms to civil partnership law were part of the coalition's drive for gay equality and to guarantee freedom of religion for everyone." In a written statement she said "The government is committed to removing the legal barrier to civil partnerships being registered in the religious premises of those faith groups who choose to allow this to happen."

David Cameron announced his support for gay marriage at the Tory conference last month. It is thought that this is the first step towards a government consultation on full gay marriage, which has been promised for next spring.

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3rd November 2011