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VICAR'S LETTER

17 Sundon Road     
 Streatley     

November, 2008    

Dear All 

An Act of Parliament, which came into force on October 1st, changes the rules about who is entitled to get married in a particular church. It does so by enlarging the definition of what is a significant connection with that church.

Prior to October 1st there were only two significant connections. Either you had to live in the parish or you had to have worshipped regularly at the church for at least six months. (There were a few fudges - giving your parents' address, leaving a case full of underwear at your best friends', but we won't go there.)

As of October 1st, the range of things that constitute a significant connection is widened. In addition to the two above, you are now judged to have a significant connection if:

  1. One of you was baptised in the parish.

  2. The name of one of you appears on the Confirmation Register of the parish.

  3. One of you has at any time attended worship in the parish for six months or more (i.e. not just the last six months).

  4. One of your parents has lived in the parish for at least six months during your lifetime (time in the womb doesn't count).

  5. One of your parents regularly attended worship in the church for six months during your lifetime.

  6. Your parents or grandparents were married in the church.

The plus of these changes is that it enables people who had a real connection with the church, but have moved away, to be able to return there for their wedding. It does not formally include one of the grounds most commonly cited, namely that my grandparents or other close relatives are buried in the churchyard, but since such a burial would strongly imply residence, it is likely that it will allow such requests to be acceded to without any of the subterfuges we currently employ. The only minus of the idea is that if your parish priest is a stickler for documentation, providing the necessary proof might be a bit of a pain.

So there we are, my dears. The floodgates are open. Come on in - but not until after I've retired.

All best wishes,

Roger

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