On Friday I had the most wonderful privilege of celebrating a wedding Mass for Brendan and Steven with my colleague Father Paul concelerating.
The Congregation consisted of the couple’s family and friends including parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.
It was a wonderful celebration of love.
And I have always marvelled on these occasions at how very diverse generations – from the youngest to the oldest, throw themselves wholeheartedly into the occasion.
The occasion becomes all about love, celebration, acceptance and the desire to recognise love in all its forms and rejoice over that love.
I have been celebrating same sex blessings for 36 years.
Now, with the legislation changed North and South I can preside over such weddings as both a priest and a state officiant – making the ceremony complete – a marriage in the eyes of the Good Lord and fully legal from the point of view of the state.
I reminded all present of the words of John:
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love“.
Wherever there is LOVE, God is there.
Today I give thanks to God that we live in wonderful new times of love and acceptance and that love of all kinds can be recognised, embraced and celebrated.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 