Marriage between people who have previously lived in the same household, or who still do live in the same household and where one has been treated by the other as a child or parent, will be prohibited, according to a key amendment to the Anglican marriage canon.
The amendment was given first reading at General Synod in July. (Before the amendment can be officially enacted, it must pass second reading at General Synod 2004.)
The amendment arose when synod delegates who were concerned about coercion between members of blended families, spoke out during the debate concerning proposed changes to the marriage canon.
Synod also agreed to adopt the federal government’s rule forbidding marriage within blood or adoptive relationships, replacing the “Table of Kindred and Affinity” in the Book of Common Prayer.