Montserrat Christian Council Stands Against Same Sex Marriage Here
Christian leaders here will not conduct or participate in same-sex marriages.
This was announced at a news conference held on Monday by the Montserrat Christian Council…MCC.
The MCC’s position follows an announcement that a private members bill was tabled in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords to make same-sex marriage legal in the British Overseas Territories.
The bill extends to six Overseas Territories - Cayman, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos Islands - where same-sex marriage is currently unlawful.
If the bill passes, it would make marriage between same-sex couples legal and would empower local governors to make changes to the law to allow homosexual couples to wed.
Reverend Louis-Charles announced that preparations are being made to distribute petitions to churches and community areas for individuals to share their views on same-sex unions.
Reverend Gesner Louis-Charles, Chairman of the Montserrat Christian Council.
There are provisions in the proposed law to protect individuals and religious groups who do not want to participate or conduct in same-sex marriages.
Bishop Dr. Melroy Meade of the Church of God of Prophecy says the aim of the Christian Council is to raise awareness on the same-sex issue, which the churches in Montserrat oppose.
Bishop Dr. Melroy Meade.
Also present at Monday’s press conference were Father Carlisle Vyphus of the Anglican Church, Father Fidelis Armin - Roman Catholic Church, Reverend Dr. Ruth Allen - retired, and Pastor Shane McFarlene of the Weslyan Holiness Church.