British prelate objects to government plan for church recognition of same-sex unions
February 22, 2011
The British government’s plan to allow for registration of same-sex unions at church services has drawn strong opposition from the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark said that the government’s proposal is neither “necessary nor desirable,” and would signal “a fundamental change to the status of marriage.” The proposal to allow church services was not required by any act of Parliament, he said, and would imply a dramatic change in policy.
"Marriage does not belong to the state any more than it belongs to the church,” the archbishop said. “It is a fundamental human institution rooted in human nature itself.”
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Further information:
- Catholic archbishop accuses coalition over gay marriage in church move (Guardian)
- British government to approve church services for same-sex unions (CWN, 2/15)
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