Same-sex marriage ceremonies to be offered at two Manx churches

Trinity Methodist Church's council voted to apply for the change on 2 Novembe

Two Manx Methodist churches can now offer same-sex marriages after successfully registering to do so.

Promenade Methodist Church's council agreed "almost unanimously" to apply for the right to host the unions.

It follows Trinity Methodist Church's decision to bid to hold the ceremonies after the denomination's governing body accepted the principle in 2021.

Both Douglas churches were officially registered under the Marriage Act 1984 on 30 November by the civil registry.

Changes two years ago have allowed any Methodist Church whose congregation supported the move to begin the process of registering the building for the ceremonies.

Following conversations with the members and church council votes both Manx churches completed the paperwork for their applications, which included a form bearing signatures of 20 congregation members.

Reverend Janet Corlett said the change was "very much part of our desire to be an inclusive church".

In recent months, several new members had joined as they wanted to belong to a church "that values gender equality, female leadership and openness to the LGBTQ+ community", she said.

Promenade Methodist Church has received a certificate to offer same-sex marriage

Tim Norton, a member of the Promenade Methodist Church council, said the move would "send out a strong message to the community and the gay community that they are welcome here".

While many congregation members had been supportive, some continued to hold "traditional beliefs" that marriage should be between a man and woman "and we respect that", he said.

Methodist equality, diversity and inclusion officer Pam Gold said: "Many LGBT people don't go to church as they do not feel welcomed... we wanted to change that."

Notices outlining the registrations will now be published by the civil registry in line with the requirements of the Marriage Act, and same sex couples can now approach both churches to book ceremonies.

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