The Minister for Joan Burton, T.D. today (Thursday, 20th December 2012) announced that the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012 has now passed all stages by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill which will allow members of secular bodies to perform legal civil marriages, will now be prepared to go to the President, Michael D. Higgins for his approval and signature.
The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for a register of solemnisers, who may be either registrars employed by the HSE or members of religious bodies, who are authorised under law to solemnise marriages in the State. The purpose of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012 was to include a third category of solemniser i.e. members of secular bodies.
Commenting on the Bill, Minister Joan Burton said: "It is clear that many of our citizens wish to celebrate their commitment to each other through a non-religious marriage ceremony. Out of the 19,828 marriages held in 2011, a total of 5,769 were civil ceremonies. This represents 29% of all marriages that year and compares to a figure of 6% of marriages in 1996."
The Bill amends the definitions as contained in section 45 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 to provide for applications from secular bodies, provided they fulfil a set of criteria. In essence, the body must be:-
- an organised group of people;
- have a membership of not fewer than 50 people;
- the principal objects of the body must be secular, ethical and humanist;
- members of the body must meet regularly in relation to their beliefs and in furtherance of the objects;
- any rules of the body regarding marriage must not contravene the law;
- there must be appropriate procedures around the selection, training and accreditation of solemnisers;
- it must be in existence continually for at least 5 years on the date of making an application;
- it must have charitable tax exemption for at least 5 years as evidenced by an entitlement to an exemption under section 207 or 208 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997;
- it must not have the making of profit as one of its principal objectives; and
- it must maintain a register of its members.
In addition, certain types of organisations are deemed, for the purposes of the Bill, not to be secular bodies. These are Chambers of Commerce, organisations that are political, sporting/athletic, trade union/representative in nature and bodies that promote purposes that are unlawful, are contrary to public policy or morality, in support of terrorism or terrorist activities or for the benefit of an organisation of which membership is unlawful.
Minister Burton concluded by saying: "The proposal to include members of secular bodies in the register of solemnisers is one I support and I am delighted to have obtained the support of my colleagues in Cabinet for this proposal. Marriage is an important and valuable institution in Ireland. This Bill when enacted enhances the institution of marriage by acknowledging and legislating for people whose beliefs are not religious but rather secular, ethical and humanist and who wish to celebrate their wedding day in a manner that is most meaningful to them."
ENDS
Note for Editor
A list of bodies who are currently authorised under law to solemnise marriages in the State follows.
Register of bodies authorised to solemnise marriages include:
Abundant Grace Christian Assembly
Abundant Life Christian Centre
Amish Mennonite Community Ltd
Arann Reformed Baptist Church
Armenian Orthodox Church
Assemblies of God Ireland
Assembly of God Ireland
Association of Independent Christan Churches
Babul-ul-Ilm Society
Baha'i Community
Bantry Christian Fellowship
Baptist Church
Blanchardstown Baptist Church
Bridge Christian Community
Bridgetown Gospel Hall
Buddhist
Calvary Chapel Cork
Calvary Church Wexford
Calvary Cork
Carlow Bible Church
Chinese Gospel Church
Chinese Gospel Church Dublin
Christ Healing Evangelical Church
Christian Brethren
Church of Ireland
Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
Congregational Union of Ireland
Cootehill Christian Fellowships
Cornerstone Christian Church
Donnybrook Church
Donnybrook Pentecostal Church
Dublin Vineyard Church
Dublin West Community Ch
Dun Laoghaire Evangelical Church
Elim Ministries
Ennis Evangelical Church
Free Presbyterian Church
Gorey Christian Assembly
Grace Christian Fellowship
Grace Fellowship
Great Hope Gospel Ministries
Greek Orthodox Church
Healing Streams Christian Renewal Centre
The Redeemed Christian Church of God
Hillside Evangelical Church
Hope and Glory Christian Ministries
Islamic Community
JC of LDS
Jehovahs Witnesses
Jewish Community
Islamic Community
JC of LDS
Jehovahs Witnesses
Jewish Community
Kingdom Dominion Christian Church Limited
Knocklyon Church of Christ
Lifegate Bible Baptist Church
Life Renewal Ministries International
Listowel Christian Fellowship
Lurganearly Hall
Lutheran Church
Mallow Street Christian Fellowship
Methodist Church
Monaghan Gospel Hall
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
Mountain View Community Church
Mullingar Christain Fellowship
Nazarene Community Church
Newbridge Bible Fellowship Church
Newcastle West Bible Fellowship
New Life Inrernational Ministries
North Down Christian Fellowship Church
Oratory Society
Order of Marian Apostles
Pagan Federation Ireland
Plumbline Ministries
Presbyterian Church
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland
Religious Society Of Friends
Riverside Gospel Hall
Roman Catholic Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Shanganagh Bible Church (Plymouth Brethern)
Society of St Pius X
Solid Rock Church of God
Soul Winning Pentacostal Ministries
Soul Winning Pentecostal Ministries
South City Church
South Hill Evangelical Church
Spiritualist Union of Ireland
The Association of Independent Christian Churches
The Bride Christian Fellowship
The First Six Principle Baptist Church of Ireland
The Gospel Hall Skibbereen
The Lighthouse Baptist Church
The Oratory Society
The Redeemed Christian Church of God
The Redeemed Evangelical Mission
The Salvation Army
The Society of St. Pius X
Tower of Power International Ministries
Tralee Christian Fellowship Church
Tramore Bible Church
Transfiguration Christian Centre
Trinity Church Network
Unitarian Church
Victory Christian Centre
Victory Christian Church
Victory Outreach
Victory Outreach Church
Word of Victory Church
World Outreach Christian Centre