The administrator and civil registrar general of the National Statistics Office (NSO) issued on November 6 a circular requiring priests to undergo a two-day orientation seminar for them to understand the marriage laws, The Star said.

The seminar, which would cost from 900 pesos to 2,400 pesos (Dh80 to Dh214), would teach the Catholic priests the "sanctity of marriage" so that they would have the authority to solemnise it, the circular said.

Priests must have authorisation from the government and their respective bishops to be allowed to solemnise weddings.

Catholic priests have a vow of celibacy.

Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 20 Aralık 2007, 16:17