What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • My own response to the government

    Phew, just finished writing my own response to the current round of consultation on changes to marriage law in Scotland.

    This one is not about the principle of introducing marriage for same-sex couples but about how such proposals will be implemented.

    It is more complex than you think because marriage law is more complex than you think!

    Anyway, here is my response, if anyone is interested:

    Consultation response Kelvin Holdsworth – March 2013

    To save you time wading through it, here’s the most interesting thing I’ve said:

    I believe that if someone is authorised to conduct a straight couple’s marriage then they should automatically be authorised to conduct marriages of same-sex couples. The law should apply equally to people and what has been proposed is not equality. For these reasons, I do not support the current proposals for determining who can and who can not conduct the marriage of a same-sex couple.

    If churches wish to limit the ability of a celebrant to conduct a marriage then they should continue to be able to do that through their own internal disciplinary procedure.

    I look forward to being able to celebrate marriages for same-sex couples one day in my congregation (St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow). I note with interest that once the state licenses marriages for same-sex couples, my own denomination (The Scottish Episcopal Church) will automatically have an authorised liturgy for blessing such couples – the service of Benediction, which is explicitly authorised in Canon Law for use with couples whose marriage is legal but which has not been performed according to the rites of the church.

    The consultation closes on Wednesday. More details here:
    https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/family-law/marriagebill

    , ,

5 responses to “Predictions for 2020”

  1. Meg Rosenfeld Avatar
    Meg Rosenfeld

    As an American of the Democratic persuasion, I hope you’re right about the upcoming presidential election . . . and fear that you’re right about the division of the country. Having gay friends who are devout Roman Catholics, I desperately hope you’re right about the Roman church becoming more supportive of LGBT folks. And I guess we can only keep praying about Equal Marriage in the Church of England. Probably it’s just a good idea to keep praying, eh?!

    Reply
  2. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    I think 6 is a certainty. I hope 8 isn’t. I think Starmer is the better choice.

    Reply
  3. Robert McLean Avatar
    Robert McLean

    Re No. 5, what is COP?

    Reply
    1. Kelvin Avatar
      Kelvin

      COP is the Conference of the Parties which will be held in Glasgow this year. It is the largest international conference on Climate Change at which governments and many other organisations are present.

      Reply
  4. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    I find myself wondering which reason will lie behind 1 – because a referendum won’t be called, or because people will still, for some reason, think it’s a good idea to hang on to Westminster rule. And I agree with 6 and with Rosemary about Starmer – who would seem to have emerged as the front runner.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • New CDs

    Three new CDs purchased this week. It seems ages since I bought new music. Firstly Kate Rusby’s new CD The Girl who Couldn’t Fly. You know exactly where you are with the Barnsley Nightingale – maudlin songs of love and folly. Excellent for the winter nights. Then a copy of Jennifer Bate’s recording of Messiaen’s…

  • Christian Resources Exhibition

    To the Christian Resources Exhibition today, which was exhausting.It would be so much easier if they put the exhibitors in aisles – Financial Services Aisle, Tat Aisle, Holiday Pilgrimage Aisle, Music Aisle, Geek Aisle, Nutters Aisle etc. (Actually, I'd be happier if they gave the nutters their own Isle rather than Aisle, but that is…

  • Politics is back on Campus

    I’m astonished to be reporting the beginning of the end of apathy. It would appear that politics is back on campus. Two weeks ago I noticed a pro-Palestinian stall in the University of Stirling. Then there was a motion within the student association on the same issue. Then on Tuesday evening I went to hear…