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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 10 February 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 February 2020. It was answered by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 February 2020 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Marriage

Question

To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to strengthen and marriage and family life.

Answer

At parish level clergy and parishioners often work with couples to prepare them ahead of their wedding for life together, support them afterwards, and through voluntary activities offer groups and facilities for families and children, which help sustain community.

Marriage preparation work will often include church-led marriage enrichment workshops and other courses and support for couples at every stage of their marriage. Through the Life Events programme the Church is working with clergy and other church leaders to enhance the depth of engagement with couples through wedding planning.

The Church, including through the Bishops in the House of Lords, continues to highlight and address the social and economic issues that place strain on married relationships, including the Bishop of St Albans’s work on the impact of gambling and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community. The Church of England also made a submission to the Government’s consultation on no-fault divorce and the Lords Spiritual have engaged with the legislation in Parliament.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
14671
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Church of England Marriage
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk