For 30 years I conducted weddings within the Catholic Church. Over that time, I estimate that I conducted services for around 1,000 couples.
Now I am a civil marriage celebrant it is interesting to compare the roles in the light of the current debate about the possible recognition of same-sex marriage.
Recently, as I was conducting a civil marriage ceremony, I recited the required “Howard clause”, namely: “We all know that in Australia marriage is the commitment of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others…” Seated in the front row was the groom’s daughter with her female partner and his son, accompanied by his male partner.
