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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Now There’s A Ceremony To Say ‘I Don’t’

Mary Beth Sammons Chicago Tribune

It may seem that there is nothing to celebrate about divorce, but two New York City ministers have designed a ritual to add spirituality to splitting up.

The 20-minute ceremony, performed at The New Seminary, an interfaith institution in Manhattan, is meant to mark the end of a marriage, according to Rev. Joyce Gioia, who has performed more than 50 such services with associate Rev. Tina Conte.

“It’s an emotional and spiritual opportunity to close the door on a marriage,” says Gioia. “It symbolizes that the couple is open with their hearts to new chapters in their lives, that they’ve come to terms with the end of this commitment.”

The ceremony often is attended by family and friends and usually includes a ritualistic burning of some small item (often the marriage certificate) and a pronouncement that the vows are broken, followed by the return of the rings.

There’s one prerequisite: The divorce must be legally finalized before the interfaith ceremony can take place, says Gioia.

The cost of the parting proceedings is $400. We imagine most couples split the bill.