A Catholic Archbishop has said that the Catholic Church will oppose the government’s proposed plan to allow civil partnerships to be conducted in places of worship “in the strongest terms”.
The Most Rev Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, issued a press release on Monday 20 February outlining his objection civil partnerships taking place on religious premises. He stated emphatically that “these will not take place in Catholic churches”.
Ever since the Government’s proposals to allow civil partnerships to be conducted in places of worship were announced last week, there has been a strong reaction amongst some Christian leaders opposing the measures. However, the Archbishop’s comments are arguably the clearest statement of opposition yet to be voiced by a religious leader.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has also voiced concern. Speaking on BBC One’s Andrew Marr show, he stated that he did not want to see civil partnership services forced upon the Church of England, but that it was up to other denominations to choose whether they would conduct such services.
The Catholic Archbishop believes that the Government’s statement last week indicates that they are “now considering a fundamental change to the status of marriage”. The Archbishop’s concerns are also shared by Edward Leigh MP, who said last week that the Government’s proposals would amount to “mangling the language of marriage”.
The Most Rev Peter Smith commented further: “A consenting Minister is perfectly free to hold a religious ceremony either before or after a Civil Partnership. That is a matter of religious freedom, but it requires no legislation by the State”. This being the case, he stated that the proposed changes are neither necessary nor desirable.
Last week a joint statement was released by Christian Concern along with the Christian Institute, Reform, the FIEC and Affinity, voicing their opposition to the proposed changes in legislation.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “We are glad that a Christian leader has stood up and spoken so strongly against these measures, which would indeed change the status of marriage in this country. We agree wholeheartedly with his concerns and hope that the Government takes heed of the Archbishop’s comments and the large constituency he represents.”
Sources
The Catholic Church in England and Wales [4]
Daily Mail [5]
Daily Telegraph [6]
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