By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
North London's Newington Green Unitarian Church is taking a stand for gay and lesbian couples by refusing to conduct any heterosexual marriages until Britain's Civil Partnership Act is changed to allow religious content in civil partnership registrations.
North London's Newington Green Unitarian Church is taking a stand for gay and lesbian couples by refusing to conduct any heterosexual marriages until Britain's Civil Partnership Act is changed to allow religious content in civil partnership registrations. The church will conduct only blessing ceremonies for both gay and straight couples who have legally wed in a civil ceremony, according to BBC News.
Newington minister Andrew Pakula, said that the church's committee voted unanimously in favor of the decision.
"We are standing on the side of love here, and that is our stance," he said to the BBC.
The church, which is described as an "inclusive, liberal religious community," stopped performing full wedding ceremonies as of March 30.
"When we realized the extent of the injustice in the existing civil partnership law, which completely prohibits any connection between religion and civil partnerships, we decided it just wasn't something we could take part in," Pakula said. "We have at this point continued to do blessings and civil partnership blessings so anyone who has done the legal business in the town hall can come to us and do a gorgeous religious celebration." (The Advocate)
