The Church of England has taken note. This week, a proposal suggested by members of the Blackburn diocese to trial waiving the statutory fees for couples planning a church wedding (up to \u00a3641), was voted through by the General Synod. \u201cWhile everyone likes the principle of free weddings, there is understandable anxiety about the unknown effect on church finances of doing so: the amendment to authorise a regional trial means we can allay those concerns,\u201d pointed out the Rev Tom Woolford, who originally raised the issue.<\/p>\n
The Blackburn diocese cited a 50 per cent fall in Church of England weddings over two decades. Whether saving \u00a3641 if you marry in a church away from where you both live, or \u00a3539 if you marry in your home parish, on a day that, on average, costs \u00a318,400, will encourage tens of thousands of couples to flock to churches remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping and praying the trial goes really well and we can bring a motion for the full abolition of wedding fees in due course,\u201d the Rev Woolford said. The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, described it as \u201ca chance for us to do something which I believe could be really good for us, good for our soul\u201d.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n 🔴 The General Synod has waived statutory fees \u2013 but will the new tactic work?https:\/\/t.co\/GoAB1QjEdn<\/a><\/p>\n — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) July 13, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n