|
|
Daily News Karachi 7- June -2005 DailyNew Karachi : June 7. (PR) Kalimatullah Fellowship & Evangelism Ministry on Friday asked the government to acknowledge the sanctity of matrimonial sacrament, which could only be solemnized by a man ordained by the church and not one who has been licensed by the Home Department. The Kalimatullah Fellowship & Evangelism Ministry Director Asia pronounced the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which considers marriage purely a sanctified relation. "It can only be tied in the presence of a person who has received Episcopal ordination and not acquired certificate from the civil authority." Azali and the Kalimatullah Fellowship & Evangelism Ministry of Pakistan remarked that the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 was a 'dagger' causing shame besides wounds to Christians. Citing many verses from the books of John, Mark and Mathew, he augmented his opposition to certifying persons of varying knowledge to solemnise marriages. Quoting from the book of Mathew, Azali said that both husband and wife once united in the bond of marriage could not be separated by anyone, including even the one who had earlier solemnized their marriage. "... So they are no longer two but one, therefore, what God has joined together let man not separate." Rev .Azali explained that his divine task of solemnizing marriages had been protected in Section 5/1 of the Christian Marriage Act whereas the fundamental rights enshrined in Article 8 of the Constitution provided ample religious freedom to everybody. "We find Section 5 of the act and Article 8 of the Constitution enough for us." Aziz ur Reham, a jurist, said that the 129-year-old Christian
Marriage Act must be repealed except its Section 5 Clause 1.
The section, dealing with the 'persons by whom marriages may
be solemnized in Pakistan, he said, states that any person who
has received Episcopal ordination. ". Provided that the
marriage be solemnized according to the rules, rites, ceremonies
and customs of the church of which he is a minister," he
quoted Section 5. "Anything else in the law does not fall
in! Harmony with the teachings and practice of our faith." |
|
|
|