Local pastor takes stand in support of gay marriage

[kweerwolf]

ASHEVILLE - A month after the Rev. Joe Hoffman announced he will not perform any more civil marriage ceremonies for the state, another Asheville minister has taken a similar step.

The Rev. Mark Ward, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville, announced Sunday that he will not sign any more marriage licenses until all committed couples - gay or straight - have the opportunity to have their marriage licenses approved.

“As ministers we are sort of defacto agents of the state in that we have the ability to legalize marriage of couples we deal with,” he said. “I will choose not to perform that function as long as the state’s laws are unjust.”

Ward will still perform religious ceremonies for heterosexual couples wishing to have church rites but said he will direct the couples to public officials who can perform civil ceremonies and sign their marriage licenses.

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060320/NEWS01/60320038/1001

[BR_Parkway]

1. Outstanding, this is how churches make a contribution, not through

keeping the hate and injustices alive so they can have access and power and fundraising.