Rent-a-Priest was founded in 2000 in Halle, Flemish Brabant by Catholic priests Rudi Borremans, Norbert Bethune and André Brems. Borremans has since been sacked from his parishes in Everberg and Meerbeek for his controversial views on homosexuality - he is gay and lived for a time with his partner.

Bethune was also dismissed over doctrinal issues, among them the celibacy of the priesthood, about which he has written a book. He is now married with an adopted daughter but still considers himself a priest. Brems, meanwhile, has long been active on social issues like poverty and exclusion.

The three have now been joined by others and offer services to those with no parish to turn to for reasons of conscience or doctrine. The priests of Rent-a-Priest carry out baptisms, which are valid, according to Canon law professor and new CD&V senator Rik Torfs. They also administer the final sacrament to the dying and, of course, officiate at marriages.

Until the beginning of this year, marriages in Belgium were only legal after a trip to the town hall, but now the law has been made more flexible, allowing marriages to take place at other locations within the municipality.

The Sunday weddings being arranged by Didier Deylgat, interviewed in De Standaard, unfortunately do not qualify. Deylgat owns a function hall in West Flanders that is not considered a legal alternative.

Nevertheless, couples can gather with their friends and families, be married by a priest, drink toasts, sing karaoke and make ribald speeches just as at any other wedding. The only difference is, they'll have to report to the town hall during working hours to make the whole thing legal.

"This initiative is perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the times," Bethune commented. "Requests are coming in for Sunday weddings from every part of society, not just the alternative wing."

www.rentapriest.be