Scientology wedding to go ahead in London

 
Louisa Hodkin & Alessandro Calcioli who on Sunday 23rd February 2014 will become the first UK couple toQ marry in a Church of Scientology chapel. Picture by Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd +44 7813 022858 20/02/2014
Staff|Agency22 February 2014

A couple who won a human rights case in the UK's highest court are due to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel in London tomorrow.

Scientologists Louisa Hodkin and Alessandro Calcioli, both 25 and from East Grinstead, West Sussex, began making plans after the Supreme Court ruled that a Scientology church was a "place of meeting for religious worship".

Miss Hodkin took legal action after the registrar general of births, deaths and marriages refused to register the London Church Chapel for the solemnisation of marriages under the 1855 Places of Worship Registration Act - because it was not a place for "religious worship".

She said today that she was "extremely happy" and proud that her victory had ended "inequality".

A Church of Scientology spokesman added: "We are delighted that Louisa and Alessandro can now be married in their church in front of their family and fellow parishioners.

"They have paved the way for other Scientologist couples.

"We extend our congratulations to the happy couple and wish them well in their future life together.

"This is an historic day for religious equality and freedom for all in the UK."

Five Supreme Court justices upheld Miss Hodkin's challenge after analysing the issue at a hearing in London in July.

Justices said religion should not be confined to faiths involving a "supreme deity".

They said the Church of Scientology held religious services, therefore its church was a "place of meeting for religious worship".

In 1970, the Church of Scientology launched a similar case.

Then, the Court of Appeal ruled that Scientology did not involve religious worship because there was no "veneration of God or of a Supreme Being".

Miss Hodkin argued that the 1970 ruling should not be binding because Scientologist beliefs and services had evolved during the past four decades.

She said services were "ones of religious worship" and likened Scientology to Buddhism and Jainism.

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