UK Wedding News
19/05/2014
A Church of Ireland Bishop has said he is supportive of same-sex marriage.
Dr Paul Colton, the Bishop of Cork, voiced his opinion during an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme. He is thought to be the first Church of Ireland bishop to make a statement in support of the controversial issue.
Dr Colton admitted the topic is "divisive", adding: "The events in society are moving very rapidly and the church is not at all up to pace with the debate.
"I certainly support civil same-sex marriage. I also recognise that the Church of Ireland's definition of marriage is for itself and I adhere to that discipline... but that is not to say that everyone must be required to take the Church of Ireland's view of marriage.
"Having said that, I'm also among those in the church, and perhaps we're only a minority, albeit a significant one that long to see the day when we can have a discussion – as we've had discussions over the years on all sorts of other issues about the nature of marriage – with a view, ultimately, at least to the blessing of same sex couples following civil unions if not to their marriage in church as is happening in other parts of the Anglican communion."
Dr Colton's comments have been welcomed by Changing Attitude Ireland, the Church of Ireland's group which support the LGBT community.
Last month, the Northern Ireland Assembly rejected a motion calling for same-sex marriage to be introduced in the region. It is the third time in 18 months it has been rejected.
Ahead of the motion, the Church of Ireland issued a statement regarding its stance on the issue. Is read: "The Church of Ireland affirms, according to our Lord's teaching, that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side. The Church of Ireland recognises for itself and of itself, no other understanding of marriage."
NI is now the only area of the UK which has not allowed new legislation to pass that would introduce gay marriage. Earlier this year, the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales, while Scotland are expected to hold its first ceremonies later this year.
(JP/CD)
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Bishop Lends Support To Gay Marriage
A Church of Ireland Bishop has said he is supportive of same-sex marriage.
Dr Paul Colton, the Bishop of Cork, voiced his opinion during an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme. He is thought to be the first Church of Ireland bishop to make a statement in support of the controversial issue.
Dr Colton admitted the topic is "divisive", adding: "The events in society are moving very rapidly and the church is not at all up to pace with the debate.
"I certainly support civil same-sex marriage. I also recognise that the Church of Ireland's definition of marriage is for itself and I adhere to that discipline... but that is not to say that everyone must be required to take the Church of Ireland's view of marriage.
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"Having said that, I'm also among those in the church, and perhaps we're only a minority, albeit a significant one that long to see the day when we can have a discussion – as we've had discussions over the years on all sorts of other issues about the nature of marriage – with a view, ultimately, at least to the blessing of same sex couples following civil unions if not to their marriage in church as is happening in other parts of the Anglican communion."
Dr Colton's comments have been welcomed by Changing Attitude Ireland, the Church of Ireland's group which support the LGBT community.
Last month, the Northern Ireland Assembly rejected a motion calling for same-sex marriage to be introduced in the region. It is the third time in 18 months it has been rejected.
Ahead of the motion, the Church of Ireland issued a statement regarding its stance on the issue. Is read: "The Church of Ireland affirms, according to our Lord's teaching, that marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side. The Church of Ireland recognises for itself and of itself, no other understanding of marriage."
NI is now the only area of the UK which has not allowed new legislation to pass that would introduce gay marriage. Earlier this year, the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales, while Scotland are expected to hold its first ceremonies later this year.
(JP/CD)
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