The current ban on civil partnerships in religious settings may be lifted as soon as 5th December.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone is expected to announce the change, which has also been backed by the Prime Minister. It will open the door for civil partnership ceremonies to be overseen by a priest within a religious building such as a church, mosque or synagogue.

Current civil partnership law – passed by the Labour government in 2004 – does not permit ceremonies within religious venues, and also bans religious readings, music and symbols.

The new rules will be welcomed by religious organisations that have campaigned for change. Denominations such as the Quakers and Liberal Judaism have argued that the current law discriminates against faith groups that wish to formally recognise and celebrate same-sex partnerships.

However, Church of England and Roman Catholic Church have announced that they will not bless same-sex couples. The Church of England told the government that new rules must allow: “unfettered freedom for each religious tradition to resolve these matters in accordance with its own tradition”.

It appears that the changes will do just that, as religious organisations will not be forced to oversee civil partnerships.

An estimated 1500 civil partnerships per year will take place in religious settings following the change in law.

[via the Telegraph]