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01/10/2012
Church Says No To Gay Marriage
Voting in support of gay marriage would mean "demolish(ing) a fundamental building block of society", according to the Presbyterian Church.
The Church has written an emotive, strongly worded letter to the Northern Irish Assembly, ahead of a vote today by MLAs on whether or not same sex couples in Northern Ireland are entitled to have their marriage recognised equally in the eyes of the law.
The motion, which was tabled by Sinn Féin, is being put forward today to decide, in the Assembly’s own revised wording, if "all couples, including those of the same sex, should have the right to marry in the eyes of the State and that, while the rights of religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage within their beliefs should be given legal protection, all married couples, including those of the same sex, should have the same legal entitlement."
But the Church’s letter argues the matter is "not merely an issue of conscience for Christian people and Christian churches, but a very significant one for the whole of society.
"It would be entirely inappropriate to demolish a fundamental building block of society, such as the historic view of marriage, when such a step is not actually necessary", the letter concludes.
Since 2005 it has been possible to enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland. This new proposal has been opposed by the DUP.
Sinn Féin said last night marriage equality is "a human rights issue". A spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph newspaper:
"Every citizen should enjoy the same rights under State law and that includes those in relation to marriage. What churches do is a matter for churches, but the State needs to treat everyone with equality."
(IT)
The Church has written an emotive, strongly worded letter to the Northern Irish Assembly, ahead of a vote today by MLAs on whether or not same sex couples in Northern Ireland are entitled to have their marriage recognised equally in the eyes of the law.
The motion, which was tabled by Sinn Féin, is being put forward today to decide, in the Assembly’s own revised wording, if "all couples, including those of the same sex, should have the right to marry in the eyes of the State and that, while the rights of religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage within their beliefs should be given legal protection, all married couples, including those of the same sex, should have the same legal entitlement."
But the Church’s letter argues the matter is "not merely an issue of conscience for Christian people and Christian churches, but a very significant one for the whole of society.
"It would be entirely inappropriate to demolish a fundamental building block of society, such as the historic view of marriage, when such a step is not actually necessary", the letter concludes.
Since 2005 it has been possible to enter into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland. This new proposal has been opposed by the DUP.
Sinn Féin said last night marriage equality is "a human rights issue". A spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph newspaper:
"Every citizen should enjoy the same rights under State law and that includes those in relation to marriage. What churches do is a matter for churches, but the State needs to treat everyone with equality."
(IT)
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Majority Of MLAs Favour Same Sex Marriage
A majority of MLAs have voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, however the DUP has lodged a petition of concern ahead of the vote. This means that while the majority favoured same sex marriage the motion was lost. 53 MLAs voted in favour and 51 voted against. Another politician abstained from the vote.
Majority Of MLAs Favour Same Sex Marriage
A majority of MLAs have voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, however the DUP has lodged a petition of concern ahead of the vote. This means that while the majority favoured same sex marriage the motion was lost. 53 MLAs voted in favour and 51 voted against. Another politician abstained from the vote.
06 August 2015
Call For Free Vote Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
There are reports that two churches in Northern Ireland have called for the region's politicians to be allowed a free vote regarding same-sex marriage. It is understood representatives from both the Catholic church and Presbyterian church have said party whips should be removed on the issue when it is next debated at Stormont.
Call For Free Vote Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
There are reports that two churches in Northern Ireland have called for the region's politicians to be allowed a free vote regarding same-sex marriage. It is understood representatives from both the Catholic church and Presbyterian church have said party whips should be removed on the issue when it is next debated at Stormont.
21 October 2019
Stormont: Attempt To Halt Abortion Reform Blocked
The first sitting of the Stormont Assembly in almost three years today saw a last-ditch attempt to halt the decriminalisation of abortion blocked. MLAs returned to the chamber at 1pm on Monday 21 October, with the DUP, UUP, SDLP, TUV Leader Jim Allister and Independent member for East L'Derry Claire Sugden taking their seats.
Stormont: Attempt To Halt Abortion Reform Blocked
The first sitting of the Stormont Assembly in almost three years today saw a last-ditch attempt to halt the decriminalisation of abortion blocked. MLAs returned to the chamber at 1pm on Monday 21 October, with the DUP, UUP, SDLP, TUV Leader Jim Allister and Independent member for East L'Derry Claire Sugden taking their seats.
09 July 2019
MPs Set To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage
MPs in Westminster are set to vote this afternoon, 09 July, on whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. A debate on the matter came about as a bill to keep the region running in the absence of Stormont's devolved government advances through Parliament.
MPs Set To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage
MPs in Westminster are set to vote this afternoon, 09 July, on whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. A debate on the matter came about as a bill to keep the region running in the absence of Stormont's devolved government advances through Parliament.
29 March 2018
Bill For Same-Sex Marriage In NI Passes First Stage
A bill for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has passed the first stage. Labour MP Conor McGinn, originally from Armagh, raised the private member's bill at the House of Commons and he later joined campaigners who were delivering a petition to 10 Downing Street.
Bill For Same-Sex Marriage In NI Passes First Stage
A bill for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has passed the first stage. Labour MP Conor McGinn, originally from Armagh, raised the private member's bill at the House of Commons and he later joined campaigners who were delivering a petition to 10 Downing Street.
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