Diocese of Sodor and Man

Guidelines for the granting of special licences

issued by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man

General

1. Special licences must not be used —
   • to facilitate illegal or undesirable marriages, or
   • to secure privacy or secrecy for a marriage, or
   • to relax or modify generally the statutory restrictions on marriage after banns or by ordinary licence.
2. Special licences may however be used to facilitate a marriage in church which might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
3. Clergy must ensure that couples who are married by special licence should be prepared for marriage, and assured of the support of the Church in their family life thereafter.
4. Due regard must be had to the extra burden which special licences impose on the parochial clergy. No application will be considered unless the cleric who is to officiate is identified.

Sickness

5. No restrictions should be imposed on the grant of a special licence for the marriage of a party who is chronically sick or dying.

Unconsecrated places

6. Special licences should not be granted for marriage —
   • at premises approved for use for civil marriages, or
   • at any other unconsecrated place, except in the case of a party who is chronically sick or dying, or in exceptional circumstances.

Consecrated buildings

7. Marriage in a consecrated building which is not the parish church or usual place of worship of either party should not be permitted without reasonable justification, which should normally be a genuine personal or family connection, determined in accordance with paragraphs H to O below.
8. Wedding tourism should not be encouraged. The fact that a church or chapel is an attractive location cannot be regarded as a sufficient justification.

Parish churches and licensed chapels

9. Marriage at a parish church or licensed chapel which is not the parish church or usual place of worship of either party should not be permitted unless —
   • the parish can be regarded as the 'home' of either party or of either party's family in accordance with paragraphs J and K below, or
   • the church or chapel can be regarded as the party's church or their family's church in accordance with paragraphs L and M below, or
   • the parties wish to be married by the incumbent because of a strong family or other personal connection with him as an individual.
10. For a parish to be regarded as a party's home, he or she must have resided there for a considerable time —
    • for at least six months in all cases, and
    • if ten years or more ago, for at least twelve months.
    Alternatively, he or she must be an active member of the parish community by reason of his or her working in the parish.
11. For a parish to be regarded as the home of a party's family, at least one parent must normally —
    • be residing there, or
    • have resided there for a substantial period in the past (applying the same criteria as in I. above).
    Exceptionally, a known connection with a parish over at least two generations may be sufficient.
12. For a church or chapel to be regarded as a party's church, he or she must have —
    • habitually attended it —
      • for at least six months, or
      • if ten years or more ago, for at least twelve months, or
    • have been prepared and presented for confirmation there.
13. For a church or chapel to be regarded as the church of a party's family, at least one parent must normally have been habitually attending it —
    • for at least six months, or
    • if ten years or more ago, for at least twelve months.
    Exceptionally, a known connection with the church over at least 2 generations may be sufficient.

Unlicensed churches and chapels

14. A person who is a habitual worshipper at an unlicensed former parish church or chapel of ease should normally be permitted to marry there. Otherwise, the same criteria should be applied as for parish churches and licensed chapels.

Private chapels

15. A special licence should normally be granted for the marriage of a former pupil or present member of staff of King William's College in the College Chapel, provided that care is taken to ensure that preparation and pastoral support is provided.