Nation gets a 'Pastafarian' pastor

New Zealand has officially recognized its first marriage celebrant from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a pirate-costumed "Pastafarian" who said on Tuesday that all were welcome to join the offbeat religion.

Wellington management consultant Karen Martyn is an ordained "ministeroni" in the church, whose adherents wear colanders on their heads and believe the universe was created by a flying noodle.

It was recognized in New Zealand as a bona fide organization in December, resulting in Martyn recently becoming its first marriage celebrant.