A SPALDING clergyman says the Church of England could stop conducting all marriages if a new law allows same sex couples to wed in church.
The Rev John Bennett said men and women wanting to get married may have to follow the continental system with a civil ceremony followed by a church blessing.
The Government plans to change only the status of civil ceremonies to allow same sex couples to tie the knot by 2015.
But the Church of England fears Government moves to exempt church ceremonies will not be tough enough to survive legal challenges in courts.
Mr Bennett, from St Mary and St Nicolas, says the union between a man and a woman – together with the procreation of children – is enshrined in the church service.
He said the end of church marriages for all would “not be a first response” but suspects that “could be the way that we go”.
Mr Bennett said Church of England rules do not allow him to bless a same sex union in church although he would consider doing so if requested in the couple’s home.
The Rev Rosamund Seal, priest in charge at Moulton and rural dean of the Elloe Deaneries, said marriage for most couples is about their love for each other and wanting to be together.
Mrs Seal said she would not want clergy to go against their conscience and conduct same sex marriages in church, but felt some priests might want to do it.
She said: “In principle, I think I would do it after a long conversation with the couple but I would not do it without the support of my parochial church council.”
Two men from Moulton Chapel, Mike Crafts (58) and Charles Woolford (72), hit the headlines in 2006 when they became the first gay couple in South Holland to enter into a civil partnership.
Mr Crafts said marriage would give them no additional legal rights and they are happy as they are.
He said: “From our point of view it showed the world we were truly committed as a couple and that we belonged to each other.”