Uncouple civil from religious marriage

Catholic New Times, Nov 2, 2003 by R.H Addington

Some MPs are proposing that the government should get out of the marriage business and leave it all to the churches. I propose the opposite. Historically in Canada, the solemnization of marriage has been a partnership between church and state. Clergy of all faiths have acted for both, under the Marriage Act in each province.

The system makes sense as long as church and state agree on the definition of marriage. This is clearly no longer true in Canada.

The purely civil formalities of marriage belong properly to the state. So in the present impasse, the clergy should divorce themselves from the Marriage Act. A wedding in a place of worship would be a religious ceremony without civil effects. For believers, it would have the same meaning and value as before.

Uncoupling civil from religious marriage would bring Canada into line with several countries in Europe who have already done so, some for more than a century. It would meet the requirements of the Charter as to equality of rights and freedom of religion.

So while the politicians dither, let us start discussing this option, in the church and in the political forum, before a less palatable one is imposed on us.

R.H Addington, London Ont.