Statement: Bacik Welcomes Introduction of Bill to Legalise Humanist Marriages

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leaderand Spokesperson on Justice
Thursday 10th November 2011

BACIK WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO LEGALISE HUMANIST MARRIAGES

Senator Ivana Bacik will introducethe Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011during Labour private members'time today Thursday in the Seanad at 11.45am. The purpose of the bill islegalise Humanist marriage ceremonies by amending the Civil RegistrationAct 2004.

Welcoming the introduction of thebill, Senator Bacik said,


“This bill will mark a step towardsa more inclusive and pluralist society, and it will make a real differenceto couples who wish to celebrate their marriage with a Humanist ceremony.CSO figures predict that next year non-religious civil wedding ceremonieswill for the first time outnumber religious ceremonies – Irish societyis changing and our law on marriage needs to reflect that.”

“The Presidential Inaugurationceremony tomorrow will for the first time incorporate a Humanist elementalongside the religious elements. This indicates the growing recognitionof Humanism as a value-system in Ireland. Humanists have become a voicefor the non-religious who are, in the most recent CSO figures, the largestgroup in Ireland after Roman Catholics. This Bill represents a way forus to show that we are inclusive of those increasing numbers in our societywho do not share the faith of the majority, and that we respect their valuesand belief-systems just as we respect those of the many persons who aremembers of established religious churches.”

ENDS