This meant that Roman Catholics and members of other Christian congregations, as well as atheists, Muslims, Hindus and members of any other religious body, had to be married according to (the Anglican) rites and ceremonies which they did not support, and by a priest who they believed had no authority.

When asked why he recommended this, one priest "declared gloomily that almost every day the wife of an Irish labourer was deserted by her husband and could get no redress".

[It] is pretended to be called for to prevent clandestine marriages, but I think it will greatly facilitate such proceedings.

Not solemnized by the church of England, may be celebrated without entering into a consecrated building, may be contracted by anybody, and will be equally valid, whether it takes place in the house of God, or in the house of a registering clerk, one of the lowest functionaries of the state.

The parties may take one another for better and for worse, without calling God to witness their plighted troth.