London - The ancient tradition of reading marriage banns may be scrapped in England a bid to encourage more young couples to have church weddings, it emerged yesterday.
A review group appointed by the General Synod of the Church of England is also expected to propose ending the requirement that the groom or bride should live in the parish where they marry.
The Church of England spokesman, the Rev William Beaver, said banns may be replaced by a "pastoral welcome" where the priest asks the congregation to pray for the couple.