Ireland: Church of Ireland Wants Exemption From Civil Unions Law
A delegation from the Church of Ireland is to meet Department of Justice officials tomorrow to press for a 'freedom of conscience' clause in the Civil Partnership Bill. The Bill, which is before the Oireachtas, provides for legal recognition for civil unions, including between homosexuals.
The Protestant Churches - including a Church of Ireland bishop and a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church - are pressing for the inclusion of a clause in the legislation which would enable public officials such as registrars to refuse to perform civil ceremonies for gay couples on the grounds of religious beliefs.
The bill proposes that an official who refuses to preside over a civil union can be fined €2,000 and jailed for six months. The Churches also believe that they could be forced to offer the use of Church property for same-sex ceremonies and events, or be sued if they do not.
