www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Russian priest fired for marrying gays

Are people from other countries coming here to the States for journalism classes, or is this just springing up on it's own in Russia and the Ukraine?

Still, I am glad to find out that the story wasn't true. Sounds like the tabloid writers over there need to meet the 'Bat-Boy' so they will have something else to 'write' about. I mean, while they were running around chasing priests that don't exist, Bill Clinton was having a fight with an alien over who Hillary should go home with...at least, that's what I read in the checkout line today...

I'm glad to hear that this is a bogus story. Seeing that line about the Episcopal Church's response made me laugh because I just received my September copy of American Family Association Journal. The front cover has a picture of an Episcopal priest, Rev. Kevin Coffey, "blessing the 'holy union'" of two gay men at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Fair Lawn, NJ, in 1998.

In Christ,

BOB

I just had a further thought and question.

What happens to our clergy when and if the courts force recognition of "gay marriage"? If the Church refuses to allow a priest to officiate one of these ceremonies, could that have an impact on the state's recognition of our clergy officiating at marriages?

Currently the state recognizes marriages performed by clergy in the same manner that it recognizes marriages before judges and other public officials. If these people would have to witness such an act, could it be extended to force clergy to do the same?

In Christ,

BOB

No way Bob, they aren't gonna do that any more than they would force clergy to baptize or bury someone. Don

But they may deny the Priests licenses to perform legal marriages, on the grounds of "discrimination on the basis of sexual preferences".

Then they might prosecute Priests for "performing marriages without a license".

If you think I'm kidding, try selling real estate or giving legal advice without a government license.

Marquette University, just this week, was intimidated into stopping celebration of the Holy Mass at one of its educational buildings, not because of a lawsuit or a complaint, but because they feared one, based on the notion that because the government helped pay to build a building, the people in the building forfeit their right to gather for religious purposes.

We can have no reasonable expectation that any court in this country will uphold any right of any Church or Priest to uphold any Traditional values. There simply is no telling what tradition the Supremes might throw in the trash next.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Two Lungs:
[QB] But they may deny the Priests licenses to perform legal marriages, on the grounds of "discrimination on the basis of sexual preferences".

Then they might prosecute Priests for "performing marriages without a license".
______________________

All that would mean is that here in the USA, a couple would have to go to a civil magistrate to have thier marriage legally registered, and then follow it up with whatever religious ceremony they wished, just as is done in most European countries and has been for years. I see nothing wrong with this system, clergy should administer the sacrament of matrimony, not serve as court officials registering a civil contract.

That may be so, but I would see it as yet another attack on Christianity. I would feel that doing two ceremonies would be a step back. One marrige for the government and one for the Church.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by theophan:

"What happens to our clergy when and if the courts force recognition of "gay marriage"? If the Church refuses to allow a priest to officiate one of these ceremonies, could that have an impact on the state's recognition of our clergy officiating at marriages?"

We have this debate in Sweden as well, where civil gay marriages (or "partnerships" as they are called) already exist. One possible solution which is being debated is to follow the example of several other countries in Europe, where the civil marriage is completly separeted from the religious ceremony.

For example, when the Belgian Crown Prince got married the couple first had a ceremony in the City Hall of Bruxelles and then the courtage continued to the Cathedral where the Chruch wedding was performed.

If Church and State are separeted this should not be a problem.

Christian

If the Leviathan state got its filthy hands off the marriage covenant, it wouldn't be a problem then either.

Actually, when church and state are separated, there are LOTS of problems.

For example, unlimited abortions; assisted suicides; etc., etc., etc., fill in your own example here.