The Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan has welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of a proposed 2026 bill amending the Christian Denominations Councils Law, which has been referred to Parliament for the next stage of the constitutional process.
The proposed legislation would allow Christians in Jordan to address a range of personal status matters under the laws of their respective churches, including marriage, divorce, wills and adoption.
In a statement issued on October 11, the council said the bill reflected agreement among the churches and called for its approval through the remaining legislative procedures.
Church Leaders Thank King Abdullah II and Government
The council expressed appreciation to King Abdullah II, the prime minister and Cabinet members for their attention to matters affecting Jordan’s Christian community.
It said the government’s approval demonstrated a commitment to protecting citizens’ rights, respecting religious traditions and strengthening citizenship, justice and equality under the rule of law.
The council described the proposed amendments as an important step in establishing a unified legal framework for Christian personal status matters.
Christians Described as Integral to Jordanian Society
The council stressed that Christians should not be regarded as a minority detached from the wider population, but as an integral part of Jordan’s history, national identity and development.
According to the statement, Christians have contributed to building the country, supporting its progress and safeguarding its achievements.
The council also highlighted shared citizenship as the foundation for equal rights and responsibilities, national unity and peaceful coexistence among Jordan’s different communities.
Proposed Law Covers Wills, Inheritance and Adoption
The amendments would establish a common legal framework for matters involving wills, inheritance and adoption, following cooperation and agreement among the churches during the drafting process.
The council said the framework was developed to address the needs and aspirations of Christian families in Jordan.
Although the proposed changes would not introduce full, automatic equality between men and women in inheritance, they would give parents greater flexibility to provide more equitably for their sons and daughters through wills.
The option of distributing an estate according to the Islamic inheritance rules currently in use would remain available to those who prefer that arrangement.
Adoption Provisions Would Give Christian Families New Options
The proposed legislation would also recognise the right to adopt, allowing Christian families who wish to adopt children to provide them with a stable home.
The council said the provisions would create opportunities for families to welcome children deprived of family care and offer them a family environment.
Adoption is among the personal status matters addressed by the proposed amendments, alongside marriage, divorce, wills and inheritance.
Churches Call on Parliament to Approve the Bill
Following the Cabinet’s approval, the council called on both chambers of Parliament — the Senate and the House of Representatives — to fulfil their legislative responsibilities and approve the bill through the constitutional process.
The proposed changes must complete the parliamentary process before they can take effect.
The council praised the cooperation among Jordan’s churches during the drafting process and reiterated its support for the legislation, which it said reflected a shared agreement among the Christian denominations.
The statement concluded with an appeal for Parliament to advance the bill so the proposed legal framework can be implemented.
