Exempting Priests

Submitted by penwing on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 17:01
Bill: 
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2013
Stage: 
LordsC
Proposer: 
Lord Cormack
Verdict: 
Meh
Synopsis: 

The intent of this clause of the Bill is to protect Church of England and Church of Wales clergy from having to marry same sex couples. This amendment extends it cover Roman Catholic Priests.

This is amendment 4 in .

Commentary: 

Currently Church of England/Church in Wales clergy have legal duties to marry people in their parish which do not extend to Roman Catholic priests. This amendment is therefore unnecessary - I think?

Amendment: 

Page 2, line 3, at end insert—
“(c) a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in England or Wales.”

Bill Text: 

1 (5) A “member of the clergy” is—
(a)a clerk in Holy Orders of the Church of England, or
(b)a clerk in Holy Orders of the Church in Wales.
(c) a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in England or Wales.