PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine church leaders are divided on a judge's decision to strike down California's same-sex marriage ban.
Wednesday's ruling affects only California but gay marriage supporters and opponents nationally are following the case closely.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland calls it "an insult to the millions of California residents" who voted to keep the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Diocese spokesman Marc Mutty says he anticipates the California judge's decision will go to the U.S. Supreme Court after appeals.
Maine's Religious Coalition Against Discrimination, with membership from 18 religious groups, praises the decision. Rev. Elsa Peters says it "honors the constitutional right of clergy and religious communities to solemnize same-sex marriages."
Report a correction
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.