Glasgow cathedral becomes first of its kind to offer same-sex marriages

A Scottish cathedral has become the first Anglican cathedral in the country to offer weddings for same-sex couples.

St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow is now taking bookings from same-sex couples following a decision earlier this year in the Scottish Episcopal Church's General Synod.

The clergy of the cathedral have been given permission by the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway to conduct such services following a unanimous vote to go ahead by the cathedral's vestry, its board of trustees.

Speaking after the decision, the Provost of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said:

"It is hugely exciting to open up wedding services to all couples who want to get married. People at St Mary's were part of the campaign to allow gay and lesbian couples to get married in Scotland so it is not surprising that we would want to be able to offer such weddings in the cathedral itself.

"St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow is one of the most stunning places that anyone can get married. It is wonderful that more people now have the chance of coming here for their special day.

"I want to live in a world where same-sex couples can feel safe walking down the street hand in hand and in which they can feel joy walking hand in hand down the aisle of a church too."

It is expected that people will come from other parts of the UK to be married in Scotland.

Speaking about this, the Provost said:

"We already have one booking from a couple coming up from England who can't get married in their local Church of England parish. We are glad to be able to welcome them and expect there will be many others who will follow them".

The lay representative of the cathedral congregation, Dr Beth Routledge said:

"St Mary's Cathedral aspires to be a church which is open, inclusive and welcoming. It feels fantastic to see another step being taken to make that even more real. When members of the congregation go to Glasgow Pride later this year, we'll have a real sense of having helped to bring about greater equality for members of the LGBT communities."

The booking forms for marriages on the cathedral's website www.thecathedral.org.uk have been changed to make it clear that all couples can now make a booking.

The Scottish Episcopal Church voted in June to allow the weddings of same-sex couples to be conducted by those clergy who wish to be nominated to do them. The legislation comes into effect on 20 July 2017