• The Marriage Business

    The time has come for Church of England clergy to show us what they are made of.

    The government has decided that the Church of England (and, bizarrely the Church in Wales) is to be banned from opting into the legislation permitting same-sex couples to get married.

    Those who are clergy who are supportive of the right of gay couples to marry really have only one option open to them. They should refuse to do any further legal marriages. No-one can force anyone to solemnise any marriage – a fact which has been much glossed over by the media. Some couples in some circumstances have the right to marry in particular places but not the right to be married by any one person.

    If it is good enough for gay couples to be told to go get a Civil Partnership and then get a blessing from the Church then the same must be true for straight couples – they should go and get a Civil Wedding and have that blessed rather than getting legally married in church.

    There are many clergy who think that the church should get out of the whole legal side of weddings in any case – this may be the start of that.

    Clergy of the Church of England – it is time for you to put a ban on banns. The time is coming for you to stop doing weddings. Once the new legislation is passed, if your denomination cannot or will not opt in then the time has come for you to stand up for what’s right. If you support equality, do something about it and show us what you are made of.

8 responses to “Two innovations”

  1. Zebadee Avatar
    Zebadee

    hi uncle kelvin,
    this is from your greatest fan and the bestest niece in the history of girls!!!
    i think the pics of your church are brilliant!!! especially the one that is done like a sketch!! it was nice seeing you in england shire in january!! i am sat here now with thee old grandparents!!! the boys are fine sat on there nintendo’s(as usual!!) high school is so great i like it so much more than primary making lots of new friends and also going to church there!! hope to see you soon……..
    love from the bestest niece in the world=NH x x

  2. Kirstine Avatar
    Kirstine

    Pssst Kelvin!
    If you look at the other photos in the series, you’ll see some snow. Besides which, it is a highly meaningful illustration of what chickens tend to do ‘in the snow’; namely they sensibly try to stay out of it!

  3. Gordon Avatar
    Gordon

    Stop worrying Kelvin! I have just added my photographs to the site. Knowing your penchant for photos, I have included no less than 11 of your good self. Thank you again for welcoming the flickr group into St Mary’s I have had lots of very positive feedback about your tour and the building.

  4. gail Avatar
    gail

    “Innovation” suggests this event may recur – I DO hope so – having kept my bugs at home in my sick bed, I was most disappointed to have to miss the fun – but thankfully not ALL of it – I have heard great comments from various people, and now have seen some tremendous photographs – thanks Kelvin for the inspiration, and thanks to all photographers for sharing your results.

  5. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Here, here for doing it again! What a talented bunch of photographers.

  6. Shona Avatar
    Shona

    wherever do you get all those good ideas?

  7. kelvin Avatar

    Like I said Shona, it was a great idea!

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