Yesterday afternoon outside Belfast, Republic of Ireland midfielder Eunan O’Kane and model Laura Lacole were united in marriage.
After winning a High Court battle, a professional footballer and a model were wed in the first legal humanist ceremony in Northern Ireland.
Eunan O’Kane, a midfielder for Leeds United and the Republic of Ireland, and model Laura Lacole were wed in a ceremony yesterday outside Belfast.
A hand-fasting ceremony, in which the couple’s hands were bound together with ribbons as a symbol of their marriage, was performed in front of 200 guests yesterday afternoon.
Prior to this, NI law did not recognize humanist weddings, therefore couples had to hold a separate civil ceremony.
He directed that a British Humanist Association (BHA) celebrant be given a temporary permit to marry the bride, who is 27 years old, and the groom, who is 26.
“It was a beautiful ceremony with all the elements of a proper humanist marriage, including vows written by the couple themselves and contributions from their family,” the celebrant, Isabel Russo, said.
The opinion is that it was a meaningful and touching occasion, despite the fact that attendees came from a variety of viewpoints and backgrounds.
The British Humanist Association praised the pair for “a lovely occasion that has been a joy for all in attendance” and offered their congratulations.
The chief executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, who attended the wedding, said that Laura and Eunan’s union “epitomizes what marriages should be all about: beautiful, hand-crafted occasions that match perfectly to the deepest beliefs and values.”
We hope it turns out to be the first of many celebrations honoring legal humanists.
Both Ms. Lacole and Mr. O’Kane identify as humanists, with nonreligious attitudes, ethics, and beliefs centered on the welfare and experience of humans.
The guarantee for freedom of belief provided by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was allegedly violated, according to Ms. Lacole.
Humanists hold to a scientific worldview and think that people determine their own fate.
The 27-year-old model also serves as vice-chair of Atheist NI.
She had complained that the European Union’s laws were treating her unfairly.
Freedom of religion is safeguarded by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
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