Ireland: Church in Threat Over Weddings' Civil Aspects Ahead of Same Sex Marriage Vote

[mdgspencer]

The Catholic Church says that if gay marriage is legalized May 22 in Ireland, it will no longer cooperate in the civil aspects of marriage there. In that case, Church weddings will no longer be legally recognized by the government–for this the marriage would have to be solemnized by someone deputized by the government for this. The Church has said that local priests would be unlikely to have any issue with such a situation: the priest marries two people in the eyes of God–the civil role is not central to his ministry.
see www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/church-in-threat-over-weddings-civil-aspects-ahead-of-same-sex-marriage-vote-323775.html

 

[Sparkythedog]

The Catholic Church says that if gay marriage is legalized May 22 in Ireland, it will no longer cooperate in the civil aspects of marriage there. In that case, Church weddings will no longer be legally recognized by the government–for this the marriage would have to be solemnized by someone deputized by the government for this. The Church has said that local priests would be unlikely to have any issue with such a situation: the priest marries two people in the eyes of God–the civil role is not central to his ministry.
see www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/church-in-threat-over-weddings-civil-aspects-ahead-of-same-sex-marriage-vote-323775.html

Thats kind of a strange reaction as it would only hurt thier parishioners. Gay people wouldn’t be married by Catholic clergy anyways. It’s something along the lines of “Stop or I’ll shoot…myself.”

 

[Phemie]

Thats kind of a strange reaction as it would only hurt thier parishioners. Gay people wouldn’t be married by Catholic clergy anyways. It’s something along the lines of “Stop or I’ll shoot…myself.”

Why would the bishops being proactive hurt the parishioners? They would simply be in the same situation as Catholics in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, etc., requiring both a civil and a church marriage.

 

[BartholomewB]

In some countries where same sex marriage has been made legal, churches and clergy have been threatened with legal action for refusing to perform a same sex wedding ceremony. Possibly the Irish bishops are looking for some kind of guarantee against that eventuality.

 

[SuperLuigi]

In some countries where same sex marriage has been made legal, churches and clergy have been threatened with legal action for refusing to perform a same sex wedding ceremony. Possibly the Irish bishops are looking for some kind of guarantee against that eventuality.

I don’t suppose Muslims and Orthodox Jews have been held to that same standard?

 

[Blue_Goose]

In some countries where same sex marriage has been made legal, churches and clergy have been threatened with legal action for refusing to perform a same sex wedding ceremony. Possibly the Irish bishops are looking for some kind of guarantee against that eventuality.

Which countries have threatened churches and clergy with legal action? Please elaborate.

Peace be with you.

 

[Blue_Goose]

Why would the bishops being proactive hurt the parishioners? They would simply be in the same situation as Catholics in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, etc., requiring both a civil and a church marriage.

The same is true for Mexico.

 

[Nelka]

I don’t suppose Muslims and Orthodox Jews have been held to that same standard?

 

[otjm]

Which countries have threatened churches and clergy with legal action? Please elaborate.

Peace be with you.

While it may not yet be “country” action, in Danbury, UK, a millionaire gay couple has decided to launch a lawsuit to force their church to perform their wedding. Their church is St. John the Baptist, a branch of the Church of England. See, Drewitt-Barlows, the couple.

In a note in NEWSMAX dated 24 Oct. 2014, it was stated: “In 2012, when Denmark legalized homosexual marriage, churches were forced to perform same-sex weddings.”

The same was noted in an article in New American dated 12 June, 2014: The nation of Denmark has voted to force churches in the established Evangelical Lutheran Church to perform same-sex “marriage” ceremonies inside their sanctuaries, although one-third of all the denomination’s priests say they will not participate in such rituals.

Danish parliament voted by an overwhelming 85-24 margin to compel churches to carry out unions for same-sex couples that are identical to heterosexual marriage celebrations.

…Since 1997, homosexuals have been able to get “married” in a blessing ceremony after the normal church service.

Under the new law, priests may opt out of performing the “wedding” service for theological reasons. However, a bishop must arrange for a replacement."

That might be a place to start looking.