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Gay marriage: Religious 'opt-in' offered, but not to CofE | Gay marriage: Religious 'opt-in' offered, but not to CofE |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages, the government has announced. | The Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages, the government has announced. |
Other religious organisations will be able to "opt in" to offering ceremonies, Culture Secretary Maria Miller told MPs. | Other religious organisations will be able to "opt in" to offering ceremonies, Culture Secretary Maria Miller told MPs. |
David Cameron has said he wants churches in England and Wales to be part of the plans. | David Cameron has said he wants churches in England and Wales to be part of the plans. |
But Mrs Miller said they had strong opposition and would not be included. | But Mrs Miller said they had strong opposition and would not be included. |
Labour, which is backing the government's plans, applying to England and Wales, urged ministers not to be "too reserved" in promoting the changes. | |
The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage. | The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage. |
But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour. | But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour. |
In her statement, Mrs Miller promised a "quadruple lock" to protect religious freedom, involving: | In her statement, Mrs Miller promised a "quadruple lock" to protect religious freedom, involving: |
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Mrs Miller said the Church of England and Church in Wales had "explicitly stated" their opposition to offering same-sex ceremonies, so the government would "explicitly state that it will be illegal for the Churches of England and Wales to marry same-sex couples". | Mrs Miller said the Church of England and Church in Wales had "explicitly stated" their opposition to offering same-sex ceremonies, so the government would "explicitly state that it will be illegal for the Churches of England and Wales to marry same-sex couples". |
She also said: "I am absolutely clear that no religious organisation will ever be forced to conduct marriages for same-sex couples, and I would not bring in a bill which would allow that. | She also said: "I am absolutely clear that no religious organisation will ever be forced to conduct marriages for same-sex couples, and I would not bring in a bill which would allow that. |
"European law already puts religious freedoms beyond doubt, and we will go even further by bringing in an additional 'quadruple legal lock'. But it is also a key aspect of religious freedom that those bodies who want to opt in should be able to do so." | "European law already puts religious freedoms beyond doubt, and we will go even further by bringing in an additional 'quadruple legal lock'. But it is also a key aspect of religious freedom that those bodies who want to opt in should be able to do so." |
Plans to legalise same-sex marriage have divided the Conservative Party and more than 100 Tory MPs are thought to be against the idea. | Plans to legalise same-sex marriage have divided the Conservative Party and more than 100 Tory MPs are thought to be against the idea. |
One of these opponents, Peter Bone, asked the Commons: "How dare the secretary of state try to redefine marriage?" | |
But a number of senior Tories including Education Secretary Michael Gove, London Mayor Boris Johnson and former Prime Minister John Major have backed same-sex marriage by religious bodies. | But a number of senior Tories including Education Secretary Michael Gove, London Mayor Boris Johnson and former Prime Minister John Major have backed same-sex marriage by religious bodies. |
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights organisation Stonewall, said: "We're delighted about the government's statement today and welcome the promise to legislate for equal marriage as warmly as on the three previous occasions that this announcement has been made. | |
"We're particularly pleased that ministers have been persuaded to extend their original proposal in order to permit same-sex marriages for those religious denominations that wish to hold them. This is an important matter of religious freedom." | |
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