Military Bases: Religious Buildings
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications for the use of Armed Forces chapels for same-sex marriages under the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014 have been refused following objections by the governing authority of a relevant religious organisation by (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force chapels.
Answered by Mr Calvin Bailey
The Single Services have identified that the main barrier to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels is the length of the process required to register such chapels for same-sex marriage. We have streamlined the process as much as possible, but it is enshrined in Primary Legislation.
No applications for the marriage of same-sex couples in Armed Forces chapels have been refused, but a number of applications have been withdrawn by the applicants themselves.
All Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force chapels are eligible for registration for same-sex marriage, expect those consecrated according to the rites of the Church of England. Before a chapel can be registered for same sex marriage, a same sex couple must request to be married in that chapel. One Royal Navy chapel (St Barbara’s Church, HMS Excellent) and one Army chapel (St Barbara’s Garrison Church, Chatham) are currently registered for same-sex marriages.
To date, one same-sex marriage has taken place at a Royal Navy chapel and fewer than five at an Army chapel. No same sex marriages have taken place in RAF chapels.
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