Saturday, January 18, 2003
Two British city councils considering special commitment services
A story released today by BBC News reports that two South West councils are considering introducing special commitment services for same-sex couples.
If approved, the services would also be carried out for heterosexual couples by wedding registrars in Devon and Somerset.
Councilors are being asked to adopt a ceremony for those who cannot, or choose not to, participate in a civil marriage
The proposed ceremony would be a symbolic gesture and those taking part would not be given the same legal rights as married couples.
Cathy Bakewell, Liberal Democrat leader of Somerset County Council, said: "There is a need to raise the profile of this issue with the public.
"There are a lot of couples who have been living together for a very, very long time and think they have common law rights.
"But if they are not married they have no rights at all."
But Father John Cunningham, a Taunton parish priest, said that the councils "should leave well alone".
"Marriage is the ideal," he said.
"Anything that can be seen to be attacking marriage in any form is undermining it."
