Church leader Gordon Bradbery has declared "wise" a magistrate's decision to prevent the marriage of a pregnant teenager and her partner.
The minister of Wesley Church on the Mall said he backed Magistrate Michael Stoddart's decision because it recognised that a marriage required a certain level of maturity.
"The level of maturity to understand the implications of marriage aren't necessarily there at 16, (or even) 18, which is the legal age," he said.
POLL: Should Emma be able to marry her boyfriend?"With support, and this is the most important thing, it can work, but statistics are not on their side.
"I think the magistrate's decision was wise."
Rev Bradbery said the couple, 16-year-old Emma Gregory and Steven Megson, 18, could use the time between now and Emma's 18th birthday to strengthen their bond.
"If they really love each other and their relationship is going to endure, then they will survive the next 13 months and get married under the law. I think it's a great opportunity for them to test how strong their relationship is."
Asked whether Emma's faith - she was raised a Jehovah's Witness - should have swayed the magistrate, Rev Bradbery said it should not.
"If they are Christian people, we are commanded to live under the law of the country, and respect that law."
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