Fr. David+

This is a good question.  Each state will enact its
own legislation in this regard, along with some sort
of conformity with whatever the U.S. Congress and
Supreme Court decides.

As far as I am aware, at present our clergy are in no
danger of breaking any laws by refusing to perform a
marriage. I don't believe that in any of the United
States a clergyman would violate any state statute by
refusing to perform a marriage.

However, the climate could change dramatically in
regard to civil law suits.  Political correctness
could evolve to the place where a parson could be the
target of a civil law suit, guilty of hate speech,
discrimination, etc.  

It is the kind of harassment you referred to that may
come our way in the future if we continue to be agents
of the State. 

Charles+


--- Stlukesangch@... wrote:

> Charles and  JAD,
>  
> But if the law of the land allows for homosexual
> marriage, are we going to  be able to refuse to
marry someone because of that reason ?  Will the State
  say, you are only acting in a civil way and it is >
only for record keeping  ?   
> If we refuse will we be subject to harassment if not
> charges  ?   I am not  trying to be an alarmist
here, I just would like some  questions answered. 
>  
> Fr. David +
> St. Luke's Port Orange, Fl. 
>