Legislation will come into effect on October 21 that will mean same sex marriage will become legal in Fermanagh and Northern Ireland but any prospective couples cannot expect to have their vows blessed in a church anytime soon, Jessica Campbell writes in The Impartial Reporter.
Indeed, churches across Fermanagh have told this newspaper that their clergy will not be permitted to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies due to the Bible’s teaching that marriage is “between one man and one woman”.
In July of this year, Westminster passed legislation that compels the UK government to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland if a deal to restore power-sharing Executive is not agreed by October 21. This legislation on same-sex marriage was added along with other clauses, which included legislation on abortion, to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019 which was passed as law on July 24.
If Stormont is not restored by October 21, Secretary of State Julian Smith must ensure that regulations on same-sex marriage legislation come into effect in Northern Ireland on or before January 13, 2020.
However, although same-sex marriage may become legal, denominations of churches across Northern Ireland have stated that same-sex marriage ceremonies cannot be conducted by their clergy.
A spokesman for the Methodist Church in Ireland stated: “Concerning same sex marriage legislation due to be enacted in Northern Ireland from October 21 2019 the Methodist Church, through its Annual Conference has directed that none of its ministers will be permitted to participate in any such ceremony which is contrary to the Church’s teaching on marriage which is based on the biblical teaching that marriage is the life-long union between one man and one woman.”
The Roman Catholic Church echoed this response. A spokesman on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher stated: “The Church’s teaching on marriage remains the same. Marriage is a covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and this partnership has been raised by Jesus Christ our Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (See Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1601 and following).”
He continued: “The legislative changes refer to civil celebrations only. The Catholic understanding and celebration of marriage remains unchanged and unaffected.”
Clarifying the position of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, should the introduction of same sex marriage to Northern Ireland take place, a spokesman said: “From the outset, as a Church we want to clearly affirm, that all people are valued and cherished by God, regardless of their sexual orientation. At the same time the Presbyterian Church in Ireland holds to the traditional and universally accepted biblical understanding that marriage is between one man and one woman. This means that ministers of our Church are not permitted to conduct, or assist in leading, services of marriage or blessing, for same sex couples.”
In July the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Right Reverend Dr. William Henry, expressed his “deep disappointment and dismay” at the inclusion of provisions within the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act that are “paving the way for liberalisation of abortion law and the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland” if the Executive is not up and running by October 21.
The Presbyterian Church spokesman continued: “Our Church’s position is that the law on such sensitive issues should remain the responsibility of our locally elected MLAs as a devolved matter. We very much regret that the parliamentary process in the summer was used to bypass the devolution settlement agreed over 20 years ago.”
“We do however note that if the Executive is not up and running by October 21, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to make regulations for same sex marriage in Northern Ireland by January 13, 2020 and will, therefore, need to conduct a wide ranging consultation.The Presbyterian Church in Ireland will take part in the consultation process to call for specific protections and safeguards for churches which uphold the biblical understanding that marriage is between one man and one woman, and to ensure that freedom of conscience is properly valued and respected,” he concluded.
A spokesman on behalf of the Church of Ireland stated: “Representatives of the Church of Ireland have expressed concern about the absence of the Northern Ireland Assembly and called upon political parties represented in that Assembly to take steps urgently to re–instate its meetings and the Executive.”
He continued: “With respect to same sex relationships, we have stated that ‘the Church of Ireland defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The church has often existed, in history, with different views from those adopted by the state, and has sought to live with both conviction and good relationships with the civil authorities and communities in which it is set.”
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