A leader of the Unitarian Church in England and Wales has made it clear that gays are welcome to join in civil partnerships on its premises, ahead of the implementation of legislation on Monday allowing same-sex couples to wed in religious buildings.
Under the new regulations set out by the Government, no venue is obliged to permit gay ceremonies, meaning the system is completely opt-in for more liberal faith groups including the Unitarian Church, so-called because it believes in God as one person.
Describing the move as a “step forward for equality and religious freedom,” Derek McAuley, Chief Officer of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Church, said in a statement: “I am confident that many Unitarian churches and chapels will be registering their premises and we will have [an] open approach to couples, as we have with those wishing to marry, who come to us to celebrate their relationship in a religious setting.
“We were amongst the first denomination to marry divorced people and to conduct marriages between people of different faiths. I hope we will again be trailblazers of social reform.”
According to The Independent, a group of Conservative peers led by Baroness O’Caithan - who reportedly believes the new law would not properly protect faith groups from being “compelled” to register civil partnerships against their beliefs - were attempting to thwart the plans last month.
McAuley argued: “The opposition to implementation of the regulations in both Houses is an attempt to frustrate the wishes of Parliament when the Equality Act was passed and must not succeed.”
Despite the introduction of the new legislation, Church of England churches will not be able to host civil partnerships without the permission of the General Synod, the Church’s governing body.
