More answers to readers’ queries and comments
Below is a further compilation of “Quick Answers” to questions which have arisen from searches of, or comments during recent weeks, providing links to our blog posts addressing these issues.
As before, the topics covered in these occasional posts do not necessarily represent our most-read blogs, but reflects the current interests of readers accessing the site on (mostly) contemporary issues.
In some cases, the answers given below may not provide a complete answer to the subject of the search, but hopefully, should provide some basic information on the topic as we discerned the requirements from the sometimes cryptic search terms.
| Question | Quick Answer | L&RUK Answer |
| is there a difference between marriage vows made in a church and registry office | Yes | Religious content in civil wedding ceremonies, Rebecca Probert and Stephanie Pywell , (181212) |
| can you complain about church bells | Church bells and the law, (180213). | Our post considers the complexities and uncertainties relating to church bells. |
| suffragan bishop attire | Canon B 8: Of the vesture of ordained and authorized ministers during the time of divine service | “1. The Church of England does not attach any particular doctrinal significance to the diversities of vesture permitted by this Canon…” |
| same sex weddings c of e | Regrettably, no. Church website states: “[a]lthough same-sex marriage legislation has changed, it remains the case that it is not legally possible for same-sex couples to marry in the Church of England.” | Also, CofE information for same sex couples states, somewhat unhelpfully: “although there are no authorised services for blessing a same-sex civil marriage, your local church can still support you with prayer.” |
| deposits on weddings | New advice on “extras” for weddings and funerals, (190305). | |
| government lgbt action plan 2018 | LGBT Action Plan 2018: Improving the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people | Government LGBT Action Plan, (180703). |
| cctv in a church and ico rules | CCTV in Churches – windows into men’s souls?, (180101). | |
| uk what does a catholic deacon do | See Cathy Caridi’s What can (and can’t) a deacon do?, (130926). | |
| sophia king iicsa | Peripheral mention in IICSA Report: child abuse in religious communities, (190530). | See IICSA research report. |
Case law related queries
| Question | Quick Answer | L&RUK Answer |
| rev michael fry Liverpool | Funeral fees pursued in Crown Court, (179324). | |
| re (hodkin) v registrar general |
R (Hodkin & Anor) v Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages [2013] UKSC 77 |
Scientology, religion and charity law: an analysis of R (Hodkin) (131217). |
Church of England Parochial Fees 2019
Since first posting Church of England parochial fees 2019 on 18 November 2018, this has been our most accessed post; an explanation of the calculation of these fees and the timing of their publication is here. The February 2019 General Synod approved a new scheme for parochial fees which will be applicable for the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive; these are discussed in our post Church of England Parochial Fees – Changes for 2020 to 2024. In addition, the fee for the issue of a Marriage Certificate has been increased to £11.00 with effect from 16 February 2019 and that the two-tier fee system for church weddings has been replaced with a single fee regardless of when the Certificate is issued.
Q&A on other areas of ecclesiastical law
“Canon Law Made Easy, Cathy Caridi
Links to sources of frequently sought data
- UK legislation, including CofE Measures: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/
- UK statistics, various areas: Office for National Statistics, (ONS)
Links to sources of frequently sought data
- UK legislation, including CofE Measures: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/
- UK statistics, various areas: Office for National Statistics, (ONS)
The Church of England’s revised web site was introduced over a year ago; since then, a number of improvements have been made, and users have become more familiar with the site’s architecture. Nevertheless, we have posted some quick links to areas of potential interest to ecclesiastical lawyers (and clergy), here, (law & policy); here, (clergy and General Synod) and here, (legal opinions and other guidance). We have also prepared “quick links” to Guidance Notes on the new ChurchCare pages on the CofE main web site.
Unless marked §, the questions are the search terms used, verbatim; questions arising externally to the blog, (twitter/other), are marked the dates in parentheses are in the format (yymmdd). Our “Quick Answer” indicates when the topic of the query was last addressed on the blog. As stated in our General Terms and Conditions, at L&RUK we do not give legal advice, or purport to do so.