Church of England lawyers dismiss fears over new civil partnership rules

[WillParkinson]

Church of England lawyers dismiss fears over new civil partnership rules

The Church of England’s legal team has rejected an argument that regulations on civil partnerships in religious buildings offer insufficient protection for those bodies who do not wish to perform them.

The argument will be put before the House of Lords 15 December and as an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons in a bid to annul the new regulations.

But the Church says the protections offered to them and other religious bodies are sufficient.

An analysis distributed by the Church says because civil partnerships and marriages are separate legal concepts, it is “clear” the Equality Act 2010 cannot be invoked to force a religious institution to perform both.

The Church says: “A gentlemen’s outfitter is not required to supply women’s clothes. A children’s book shop is not required to stock books that are intended for adults.

www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/12/02/church-of-england-lawyers-dismiss-fears-over-new-civil-partnership-rules/