Presbyteryseeks support to nullify marriage act

SHILLONG: The Standing Committee of Mawnai Presbytery said it is “perturbed” by the Marriage Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012, passed by the State Assembly and called for support from the Christian community.
In a statement to the press, church elder K.P Lawriniang, said the Act of 2012 overshadows the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, which is a central act.
“The act of 2012 affects those professing the Christian faith as it encroaches upon their strong belief and faith and solemnity of marriages contracted under the Central Act for all these years,” the statement said.
The committee has urged the Christian community to come forward and support the Pastors.  Lawriniang said the committee felt that the Act does not help in strengthening the concept of solemnity in marriage but will instead erode the faith of those professing Christianity. “The standing committee conveys its full support and cooperation to the pastors who are initiating striking of the Act of 2012 before the Meghalaya High Court,” it said. Last November, petitioners Seinborly Diengngan, Thanlijoy Diengdoh, Nongpyndeng and P. Gleamland Khongsdir, who are pastors of different Churches, had sought the High Court’s intervention as they perceived that under the new act, it was similar to re-registering. The pastors had stated that they are not against the Act but that lawmakers should have exempted them who have the licence to solemnise marriages and felt that their rights to solemnise has been divested.