COI ministers

sazza

Hi All

Can anyone tell me if church of Ireland ministers can marry people outside a church ? We want a civil ceremony but cannot get a solemniser

Any ideas
Thanks
Saz

Peregrinus

They can only (legally) marry people in accordance with the rules of their own denomination. So the question is, does Church of Ireland canon law permit the celebration of a marriage outside a church? And I think the answer is, yes, but only on very strict conditions, one of which is the agreement of the diocesan bishop. (And note that's only one condition - i.e. he can't agree unless some other condition is also satisfied.

But don't take my word for it - I could be wrong. I do recall that David Beckham and Victoria Whatsername were married by a CofI clergyman in the ruins of a long-deconsecrated church, so it may be possible. No harm in asking your local friendly CofI minister.

Ms Mustard

sazza wrote: »

Hi All

Can anyone tell me if church of Ireland ministers can marry people outside a church ? We want a civil ceremony but cannot get a solemniser

Any ideas
Thanks
Saz

HI there - I've just answered another query from you about a list of solmenisers and it includes CoI solmenisers.

I have an anecdotal story about what you ask. Someone I know had arranged for a personal friend who is a CoI minister and solmensier to marry them outdoors and on a Saturday. He had agreed that he'd tailor the ceremony to them - they wanted purely secular. In the event (partly I think because her husband-to-be was not an Irish citizen and they didn't want to take any risk of any question being raised ove the legality of the marriage) they ended up going to the registry office a couple of days before and then had the ceremony pretty much as planned on the Saturday with the same minister, but they were already legally married.

sazza

Thanks Mr. Mustard

My situation is that I am COI any my hubby to be RC...
Neither of use practicing might I add though...

I would prefer not to have a religious wedding but if I have too I would prefer a COI minister over an RC priest.

I am in the process of enquiring with my family COI parish minister with my fingers crossed that he will agree to just the hotel part.

At this stage I am willing to take anything he offers
We wanted to get married within a year of getting engaged but this is the only part that will stop that happening

Ms Mustard

Best of luck!

prettygurrly

i asked my CofI minister years ago if he would marry me to a muslim and he said yes. Since you're CofI it would definitely be easier to find someone to marry you. i didn't go into details about what the ceremony would entail but you're in a good place, as being baptised in the church, to find out!

angeldelight

You should try contacting the Unitarian Church. They will marry people of all religions or none. The ceremony is legal, and can be carried out in their churches (Dublin and Cork) or in an alternative venue.