Hampstead church first in London to allow same-sex civil partnership ceremonies
A Hampstead church could become the first in London to hold civil partnership ceremonies in its chapel following an unprecedented vote.
The congregation at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Pilgrim’s Place showed unanimous support for same-sex ceremonies to be held at the church during a vote on Sunday.
Reverend Dr Patrick O’Neill will now submit a licence application to Camden Council.
The reverend, who moved from New York to become minister at the Hampstead church last year, sought advice from the council on the process two months ago.
“Our motivation for this is always to be pressing for greater equality for all people which is very much consistent with our basic values as a church,” he explained.
You may also want to watch:
“The issue for us now is setting an example for the wider community.
“We didn’t know if it would be automatically viable when we pressed to do the vote but now we’re going ahead with it and we seem to have a borough that is open to the process.”
Most Read
- 1 Hampstead creperies told to close by Camden Council because of 'Covid risk'
- 2 Teenager dies after stabbing in Archway
- 3 Ole & Steen bakery set to open in Hampstead's former Café Rouge
- 4 Police mourn 'devoted' Camden constable who died from Covid
- 5 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta echoes players' support for absent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- 6 HS2 tunnel protesters evicted in 'siege' outside Euston Station
- 7 Arsenal face a crucial week as they bid to start pushing on
- 8 We must take the vaccine to protect the BAME community
- 9 Royal Free calls in the army as 'unprecedented' demand continues
- 10 MPs challenge Hampstead Heath ponds swimming charges hike
He added: “Unfortunately the Church of England and the Catholic Church are against it, so a lot of churches are precluded.”
He added: “We need to raise cultural awareness and recognise that in our society ten to 15 per cent of people are gay, lesbian or bisexual”.
He said: “It affects many families, whether they recognise it or not.”
Religious buildings have only been able to hold same-sex civil ceremonies since February last year, though the Church of England maintains a ban on the practice.
In June this year, 120 clergy wrote a letter to the Church of England asking it to reconsider its stance.
The Church of England said nothing would change unless the full General Synod, which is its legislative body, consents.
A number of religious buildings in Camden, such as the Quaker-run Friend’s House in Euston Road, have been granted a licence since the amended law was introduced.
However, with the universal backing of its congregation, Rosslyn Hill looks like it will be the first church in London to hold same-sex civil ceremonies.