However, while some rectors within the Church of England joined an early challenge to plans for a 'union civile', and not equal civil marriage, other church leaders warned of the biblical connotations of the word 'marriage' and it being for 'male and female'.

The Rev. Linda Le Vasseur, pictured, who is priest in charge at St John's Church in St Peter Port, said she could not personally understand why the States working party consulting on the plans had opted for its union civile proposals as its preferred option, ahead of full civil marriage, as in Ireland.

She said she could see how some people within the Church held a different view, on religious grounds, but these were not some she personally shared.

She also acknowledged that any CofE rector would need the Church of England to change its stance to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies before they could perform one in their church.