WELSH vicars today called for couples to be able to get married in the Anglican church of their choice in Wales.
Yesterday it was announced that a Parliamentary committee is expected to give the go-ahead for engaged couples to get married anywhere in England, where they have lived for six months, or where their parents or grandparents were married.
But because the Church in Wales is disestablished, the marriage rules will not be relaxed in Wales.
As a result, couples in Wales are denied the same degree of matrimonial choice as those living a few miles over the border.
The Archbishop says that change would require an Act of Parliament but that would be complicated and not likely to happen soon. (1) Why not get right on to it? (2) Thank God for a written constiturion that provides, among other things, that Congress (and by the 14th amendment the stetes) shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
I can see no reason not to make the sole criterion that one of the parties be a regular worshiper in that congregation. What does it matter if parents or grandparents were married in a particular church, if the parties are not concerned with the context of the existing Christian community in which the marriage is being performed? If you like a particular church ambiance, then show your commitment by being an active part of that community for six months. If you’re not willing to do that, there are plenty of other nice places in which to get married.
Roll on disestablishment.