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Scientology couple to marry in London Scientology couple who won Supreme Court case to marry in London
(about 2 hours later)
A couple who won a Supreme Court challenge are to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel in London later.A couple who won a Supreme Court challenge are to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel in London later.
Louisa Hodkin launched legal action after officials refused to register a Church of Scientology chapel in central London as a place for marriage for her and fiance Alessandro Calcioli.Louisa Hodkin launched legal action after officials refused to register a Church of Scientology chapel in central London as a place for marriage for her and fiance Alessandro Calcioli.
In December five Supreme Court judges ruled the church was a "place of meeting for religious worship". In December, five Supreme Court judges ruled the church was a "place of meeting for religious worship".
Miss Hodkin said she was proud that her victory had ended "inequality".Miss Hodkin said she was proud that her victory had ended "inequality".
The chapel had initially been refused as a wedding venue due to a 1970 High Court ruling which said Scientology services were not "acts of worship".The chapel had initially been refused as a wedding venue due to a 1970 High Court ruling which said Scientology services were not "acts of worship".
Miss Hodkin, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, argued that the 1970 ruling should not be binding because Scientologist beliefs and services had evolved during the past four decades. Miss Hodkin had argued that the 1970 ruling should not be binding because Scientologist beliefs and services had evolved during the past four decades.
She said services were "ones of religious worship" and likened Scientology to Buddhism and Jainism.She said services were "ones of religious worship" and likened Scientology to Buddhism and Jainism.
Ahead of Sunday's ceremony, a Church of Scientology spokesman said: "We are delighted that Louisa and Alessandro can now be married in their church in front of their family and fellow parishioners. Speaking ahead of Sunday's ceremony, the couple, who have a baby daughter, said they were "extremely excited" to be getting married.
"They have paved the way for other Scientologist couples. Miss Hodkin and Mr Calcioli, both 25 and from East Grinstead, West Sussex, said: "It has been a long, five-year battle to achieve a simple freedom - the right to marry in our own church with a service in accordance with the rites and customs of our religion and surrounded by our friends and family.
"This is an historic day for religious equality and freedom for all in the UK." "We are pleased and proud that our victory brings to an end inequality and unfairness, not just for Scientologists, but for people of all faiths - because the Supreme Court have now provided a definitive description of what a religion is, which had not existed before in English law."
A Church of Scientology spokesman said: "We are delighted that Louisa and Alessandro can now be married in their church in front of their family and fellow parishioners. They have paved the way for other Scientologist couples."