Objectors at a wedding can make their case – at a distance

New guidance says halting the service is a legal right, but puts ban on singing

IT IS the moment that has formed part of the Church of England’s marriage ceremony for centuries and, in more recent decades, become a staple of romantic comedies.

Now, senior bishops have warned that members of the public must still be allowed to enter churches to object to weddings, even under the many restrictions being drawn up as a result of coronavirus … as long as they observe social distancing.

Guidance drawn up by Church leaders warns vicars that anyone wishing to lodge an objection is “legally entitled to do so” and “provision must be made to enable them to make their point”, even if the couple faces a strict limit on the number of attendees. Like the vicar, couple, and congregation, however, anyone objecting will be expected to remain two metres apart from others. The advice is contained in a document issued by a working group of bishops helping to prepare CofE churches for the easing of restrictions, including the ban on weddings.

The Government is preparing to allow the reopening of places of worship from

June 15. Following talks with faith leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, ministers are drawing up plans to allow services and small weddings as part of the third step of Boris Johnson’s roadmap, in July.

Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary, said: “Ensuring places of worship can open again, beginning with private prayer by individuals, has been my priority. Their contribution to the common good is clear, as places of solace, comfort, stability and dignity. And the need is all the greater as we weather the uncertainties of the pandemic.”

Guidance issued last week in preparation for weddings to be resumed warns vicars that they do “not have to touch the rings to bless them”, and nor do they need to touch the couple’s hands as part of prayers and blessings. Organists, vergers and sound system operators will be included in the numbers attending, adding to the dilemmas of couples attempting to fit in as many guests as the Government allows.

The advice by the House of Bishops Recovery Group warns that smaller churches may not be able to accommodate enough people under social distancing rules while vicars could offer to conduct an additional blessing at a later date with “all the guests present”, if the ceremony goes ahead with a restricted number. Additional advice includes avoiding hymns and singing, “as this may encourage droplet and aerosol spread”.