Madam, – Those people who enter into a formal civil partnership are not thereby empowered to do anything they were unable to do before. Thus, there is nothing in the partnership ceremony that authorises, enables or even facilitates actions by the partners which others might in good conscience consider to be wrong.
In performing the ceremony, the registrar is not doing or facilitating anything immoral. Why then should he (or she) need an escape clause? S/he wouldn’t even have to kiss the bride, if s/he considered this improper! – Yours, etc,
A chara, – David Nelson’s letter (July 5th) was striking. A better example of the tyranny of the majority I can’t conceive of. A better reason for passage of the Civil Partnership Bill I can’t imagine. – Is mise,
Madam, – Kevin O’Sullivan (July 6th) wonders if those concerned that the head of the Church of England may not marry a Catholic are as concerned that the head of the Catholic Church is also not permitted to marry a Catholic. I would be further interested to hear if they have the same concern for other Catholics who are refused the right to marry fellow Catholics, such as is the case for gay and lesbian couples. Religious discrimination comes in many guises. – Yours, etc,