Press Release:

Church celebration of 'gay marriage'

South London Gays (SLG) are re-enacting one of the ancient Church ceremonies which 'united' same-sex couples. The earliest text of the rite, called brother-making, comes from the 9th century, though it was used in previous centuries, and has been celebrated in every century since.

The couple is 'blessed and sanctified' by God like many paired saints and martyrs who were 'united' 'by faith and the Holy Spirit'. The priest prays 'that their love may abide' 'all the days of their life' granting them 'fidelity', 'peace and love and concord'.

In the ceremony, the couple have their right hands on the Holy Gospel. They exchange gifts rather than giving a ring. The priest leads them, singing psalms, round the sanctuary. After their blessing they kiss the Holy Gospel and each other, and they receive the pre-sanctified communion together. There are no vows. So the service, which is a 'blessing ceremony', is similar to a contemporary wedding. But it was distinct from marriage and its theology mainly concerns their deep, enduring love and union in Christ as opposed to reproduction and child-bearing.

In spite of attempts to suppress them, several versions of this rite exist. And there's a different but similar Roman Catholic rite, also called 'brother-making'. In this country couples also swore brotherhood and sanctified their civil relationship by taking the communion together, though apparently without a specific ritual. Sworn brotherhood was independent of the rights and duties of marriage.

Roger Burg, who takes the part of the priest in colourful vestments, said "This is not gay marriage. It's sworn brotherhood, which was always distinct from marriage. But it's much closer to modern marriage with its emphasis on mutual love and commitment rather than procreation, and very relevant to the Government's proposed Civil Partnerships".

The re-enactment and discussion, which is open to all, is on Tuesday 13th April 8:30pm in the Bread and Roses pub in Clapham Manor Road.

For further information on SLG see www.slago.org.uk/slg/ or phone 0208 674 5191.

For pictures and information on the re-enactment project see www.samesexunions.org.uk/ or phone 07880 794645 / 020 8645 0943.