Atheist Ireland criticises legislation on marriage
Group says the law is ‘dysfunctional’ and is bringing civil marriage into disrepute
Former minister for social protection Joan Burton rejected a request from a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to be recognised as a solemniser. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin.
Legislation governing the solemnisation of marriages is “dysfunctional”, “unworkable” and is bringing civil marriages into disrepute, Atheist Ireland has said.
John Hamill, a member of the organisation, also describes himself as “Pastafarian minister” of a religious body named the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. He recently applied to the Registrar General’s office to be recognised as a marriage solemniser. The application was rejected on the grounds that the church did not meet the criteria of a religious organisation.