Civil Partnerships

The Civil Partnerships legislation was enacted today. It is good to see it become operational at last. I gather that one partnership has already been registered, the cooling off period for one couple being waived, as one of the partners was in a hospice and unlikely to live to the end of the month.

There are all kinds of questions that Civil Partnerships raise. One of the most interesting in the Scottish Episcopal Church so far as I can see is whether congregations should expect gay couples living in church property to have a Civil Partnership or not. So far as I can see, logic would suggest that such an expectation is reasonable, since a straight couple would not, I think, be able to live together without being hitched. However, if the church does not wholeheartedly welcome something, can a congregation expect it? A conundrum.

Three cheers for Civil Partnerships anyway, and a blessing on those who are first to register them. Here’s looking for the day when all God’s children are treated equally and this legislation is merged into a new Marriage Act. 

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    So far as I can see, logic would suggest that such an expectation is reasonable, since a straight couple would not, I think, be able to live together without being hitched.

    An interesting point although I would also argue that a male/female couple have the legal option of marriage and have chosen not to accept it whereas the m/m or f/f couple haven’t.

    It’s a fabulous step in the right direction in any case.

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