CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE (Couples) – IDENTITY AS “CIVIL MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS” – OFFICIAL STATISTICS

CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE (Couples)
Couples had a choice approved by the Department. This was taken away for no reason, and a cumbersome ineffective recording of numbered certificates was put in place – a system which is not working and could not possibly work – and which leads nowhere and does nothing. It is operates more in the breach than the observance (especially by my clergy friends). It is counter-productive in that gives a veneer of security when the opposite is the case.

What should happen – Choice of certificates should be restored to the parties to a marriage. Publishers of certificates should have them checked and approved – and be adequately supervised and workable safeguards and warnings. If authenticity is needed to be checked details of how to do so (including the celebrant’s contact details) could be printed on the back of the certificate.

Almost every authority relies on the certificate issued by the State Departments of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. It was always enough before this harmful change

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IDENTITY AS “CIVIL MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS”
We were titled Civil Marriage Celebrants from the beginning. We are now mixed up on government lists with fringe clergy who are now mingled with us on statistical reports and for OPD – Ongoing Professional Development. This was done by stealth. Also done by stealth were the appointments of some persons who have been authorised as Civil Celebrants AND clergy  – thus confusing the public. Clergy do not want it and neither do celebrants.

What should happen – The title “Civil Marriage Celebrants” should be re-applied and for good measure should be enshrined in law.

Clergy should be clearly classified as clergy.

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OFFICIAL STATISTICS
For over thirty years separate statistics were compiled by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the main religions, in general for the smaller religions, the Registry Office, and independent civil celebrants. This was all done away with when in the Downgrading of 2003 smaller religions, the registry office, and independent celebrants were all jumbled together statistically. The old statistics were very useful and told us a lot about our society.

What should happen – Statistics for Registry Office Marriages, Civil Celebrant Marriages, and church marriages should be kept separate for all number of good reasons.