Deadline to comment on draft Marriage Bill is this Thursday

VAAL TRIANGLE - Freedom of Religion South Africa remains concerned the draft Marriage Bill does not contain a clause that expressly protects the religious freedom of religious marriage officials. Executive director Michael Swain says this is needed to ensure they cannot be compelled to solemnise any marriage that conflicts with their faith convictions or those of the religious organisation they belong to. They are also asking for the bill to be clarified to avoid unintentionally criminalising religious leaders who solemnise only the religious component of the marriage ceremony. Swain said FOR SA is generally happy that this draft of the Marriage Bill reflects the Marriage Policy. However, they do have three religious freedom concerns with the current draft. The organisation therefore asked South Africans you to support the changes they recommend to this Bill to ensure that the right to religious freedom is properly upheld and protected. The deadline for public comment is this Thursday, 31 August 2023. Follow the link for more information and to submit your comment: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/marriage-bill/

PHOTO: (DearSA)