Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Same sex religious weddings now legal
AUTUMN wedding bells will be ringing in Belfast as same sex religious weddings can go ahead from September.
Campaigners welcomed the hard-won move after Robin Walker, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, introduced the change to marriage regulations in Parliament yesterday.
It means that same sex couples across Northern Ireland will be able to tie the knot in religious ceremonies for the first time.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director and part of the Love Equality coalition, said: “This is a landmark day for equality in Northern Ireland.
“After a long campaign, same-sex couples of faith will finally be able to marry in a church or other religious setting.
“In line with our calls, we are pleased that the law will protect religious freedom, and that churches will neither be compelled nor prevented from offering wedding ceremonies to same-sex couples.
He is now calling on the Government to “finish the job” and allow the conversion of civil partnerships to marriage, bringing full marriage equality to NI.
The earliest date for a same-sex religious wedding will be 29 September.
THE Republic’s new Taoiseach was greeted with smiles as he visited Stormont for the first time in his new role yesterday.
Arlene Foster and Michelle O’neill sat down with Micheal Martin at Stormont Castle after greeting him on the building’s steps, from a social distance.
It is understood they discussed a range of issues, including Brexit, the Covid-19 response and New Decade, New Approach deal.
They also agreed to hold a plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on July 31.
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I was pleased to welcome Micheal to Northern Ireland today for his first visit here as Taoiseach.
“We had a productive discussion around areas of mutual interest.
“Recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was a key focus of our conversation as we work simultaneously to protect people and rebuild our economies.
“As two jurisdictions sharing an island it makes perfect sense that Northern Ireland seeks to build a positive relationship with our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland.
“We have seen the benefits of