CHURCH AND MARRIAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 11

CHURCH AND MARRIAGE

NEW LAW SUGGESTED SECULAR FORM OF CONTRACT [fbom Ot T R OWN correspondent] LOXDON, Jan. 12 A solution for what is regarded by gome people as one of the most confusing anomalies in the British law is to be put forward at the spring session of the Church Assembly next month. This is a proposed new marriage contract for all who are not members of the Church of England.

It is suggested that the Church Assembly may find in the proposal a means to 1 overcome the present state of affairs whereby the only recognised marriage law is that of the Church, though the Church does not recognise the divorce laws of the State. The Rev. C. E. Douglas will move:— "The National Assembly of the Church of England is cf opinion that the principle of granting exceptions to the laws ecclesiastical, while convenient in former times in matters relating to freedom of conscience, cannot to-day conveniently be applied to regulations concerning public morality, and that if it be desired to relax the established Christian discipline with regard to marriage, legislation should be of a positive rather than of a negative character; that is to say, a secular matrimonial law should ,be enacted legalising a new form of marriage contract for those who are not members of th« Church of England."