From the 1st October this year, the law concerning marriages in Church has changed. Those who already are allowed to marry in a particular church are not affected, and neither is the law concerning the re-marriage of divorcees in Church.

But, there is a whole new group of people who can marry in a particular Parish Church - those who have a Qualifying Connection with the Parish.

These are defined in law as follows;

A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if:

that person:

was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation);

or

had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish;

or

has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;

or

has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

or

a Parent of that person has at any time during that person’s lifetime:

had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;

or

habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

or
a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.

Already, we have taken a number of bookings for weddings for next year of couples where one or both partner has a Qualifying Connection, and we hope that the new law will enable people to get married in a Church where they have some connection, even though they may not be living in the Parish at the time of the marriage.

If you have any questions about Qualifying Connection, please speak to one of the Clergy, or to the Parish office.