Call for high fees to be scrapped as church marriages fall by half in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019

High fees are putting church weddings beyond the reach of many couples and should be scrapped or set at a nominal amount, according to clergy in one of the most deprived areas of England.

Marriage fees, which can be as high as £641, are a contributory factor to the decline in church weddings, they claim. A proposal to be debated this week at the Church of England’s ruling body, the General Synod, calls for fees to be abolished or reduced to a minimal amount “in order to demonstrate the church’s commitment to marriage and pastoral care”.

Continue reading…

You May Also Like

Jeremy Corbyn: barring me as Labour candidate is attack on democracy

Former party leader hits back after Keir Starmer says he would not…

E3 2021: all the news from Microsoft and Bethesda’s Xbox showcase

From Halo Infinite to the long anticipated role-playing adventure Starfield, Microsoft is…

Brian Cox: Seven Days on Mars review – out of this world!

The staggering science and jaw-dropping feats of humanity at mission control for…

National Trust archaeologists find medieval ‘gift token’ in Norfolk

Coin-like lead piece found near Oxburgh Hall thought to have been doled…