Catholic Culture is reporting that the bill, which allows same-sex couples to marry in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales, will lead to the first marriages sometime next summer. It will also allow gay couples who entered into a civil partnership to convert their relationship into marriage.

Archbishops Vincent Nichols and Peter Smith, president and vice president of the nation's bishops conference, called the event a "watershed" in English law and the herald of a profound social change.

“The new act breaks the existing legal links between the institution of marriage and sexual complementarity,” the bishops said in a statement.

“With this new legislation, marriage has now become an institution in which openness to children, and with it the responsibility on fathers and mothers to remain together to care for children born into their family unit, are no longer central. That is why we were opposed to this legislation on principle.”

However, they did express gratitude for the passage of an amendment that protects opponents of same-sex marriage from criminal penalties:

"Amendments made in the House of Lords though have significantly strengthened the legal protections in the Act for the Churches," they explain.

"We also welcome the Government’s amendment to the Public Order Act which makes it clear beyond doubt that 'discussion or criticism of marriage which concerns the sex of the parties to the marriage shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred'. Individuals are therefore protected from criminal sanction under the Public Order Act when discussing or expressing disagreement with same sex marriage."

But the threat to religious liberty in Catholic schools remains.

"We were concerned to provide legislative clarity for schools with a religious character. This was in order to ensure that these schools will be able to continue to teach in accordance with their religious tenets. Given the potential risk that future guidance given by a Secretary of State for education regarding sex and relationships education could now conflict with Church teaching on marriage, we were disappointed that an amendment to provide this clarity was not accepted … "

UK lawmakers also failed to pass a number of other amendments that would have protected the rights of civil registrars and others who conscientiously object to same-sex marriage.

There are now 15 countries that have legalized same-sex marriage: the Netherlands (2001); Belgium (2003); Spain (2005); Canada (2005); South Africa (2006); Norway (2009); Sweden (2009);  Portugal (2010); Iceland (2010); Argentina (2010); Denmark (2012); Uruguay (2013); New Zealand (2013); France (2013); Britain (2013).

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com