A Bill to make provision for marriages taking place in any Church of England chapel licensed for the solemnization of marriages under sections 20 and 21 of the Marriage Act 1949 to be solemnized according to the rites and ceremonies of Christian denominations other than the Church of England.
House of Lords
12 September 2019
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Ecumenical Marriage Bill would let marriages held in Church of England chapels that are licensed to conduct marriages under the Marriage Act 1949 be performed according to the rites and ceremonies of Christian denominations other than the Church of England. In practice, a couple could marry in an Anglican chapel but have the ceremony follow the traditions of another denomination, subject to church rules. The aim is to recognise and enable ecumenical or inter-denominational weddings within Anglican premises, promoting equality among Christian denominations in how weddings are conducted.
The bill is currently at its 2nd Reading in the Lords. It originated in the Lords, and there is no record here of further progress beyond the 2nd Reading.
Generated 21 February 2026
29 Jun 2017
23 Feb 2018
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - took place on 23 February.
The 2017-2019 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
