The following draft Bill will be debated during this year's General Synod. For further information on amendments and passage through General Synod please contact The General Synod Press Office BILL NO 1 Explanatory Memorandum Until 1 January 2004 Marriage Registers were provided by the state in both civil jurisdictions in Ireland and there was no requirement upon select vestries of parishes to provide for the keeping of marriage record books in addition to the registers of baptisms and of burials which were already so kept. However, since 1 January 2004 when the Marriage (NI) Order 2003 came into force, the recording of marriage for state purposes is no longer in a register in Northern Ireland but on a Marriage Schedule retained by the relevant civil Registrar. The provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004 which is expected to be brought into force in late 2005, will have similar implications for Church of Ireland parishes in the Republic of Ireland. It is necessary, therefore to amend Section 25 of Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, which relates to the various registers which must be provided by select vestries in respect of baptisms and burials in the parish, to include also a requirement for the provision of Marriage Record Books in which shall be recorded any marriage which may be celebrated in that parish according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland. Accordingly, Clause 2 seeks to make the requisite amendment by
inserting a new subsection 25(1A) into section 25 of Chapter
III of the Constitution. LADY SHEIL Bill To amend Chapter III of the Constitution Whereas it is desirable that, in every church or chapel
in which a beneficed or licensed member of the clergy officiates and
in which a register of vestry members is kept, a Marriage Record Book shall
be provided by the select vestry of that parish:
The select vestry shall also provide in each parish a Marriage Record Book in which shall be recorded any marriages which may be celebrated in that parish according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland.
(b) In respect of parishes which are located in the Republic of Ireland the provisions of Section 2 of this Statute shall come into effect on a day to be appointed by the Standing Committee. |
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