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 Lords agrees to allow civil partnerships in churches
The Christian Institute reports today that last night the House of Lords voted by 93 to 21 to permit civil partnerships to be registered in religious premises. Since the Christian Institute report has not been put on their website yet, most of the report is reproduced below.
Peers voted at 11pm in favour of an amendment to the Equality Bill moved by Labour Peer Lord Alli.
On the face of it, the effect of Lord Alli's amendment should be limited to permitting those churches who wish to allow civil partnership registrations to do so. However, there could still be scope for legal cases against those ministers and churches who refuse.
The Christian Institute are seeking legal advice on the implications of the amendment and considering how to respond.
The Government resisted Lord Alli's amendment in January, saying it was "not a workable solution to this issue". However, last night, despite arguing against it on the same grounds, the Government unexpectedly allowed its Peers a free vote on the issue. The Conservative Party also gave its Peers a free vote, as did the Liberal Democrats.
In a rare break with normal procedure announced only yesterday, the political parties agreed to sit late into the night to allow the Bill to receive its entire Report Stage in one day. This led to Lord Alli's amendment being reached late last night - when scores of Peers who would have voted against it were not in the House.
It appears the Equality Bill will now complete all its parliamentary stages before the General Election. The House of Commons will therefore need to approve the amendment.
We oppose civil partnerships in principle. We are also concerned for religious liberty.
Please pray for wisdom for us at The Christian Institute and that this move will not lead to the restriction of religious liberty in the UK.
Click here for Times article
(Source: The Christian Institute, 03/03/10)
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