I just read President Harrison's letter to pastors of which I am one. My immediate response is that the state cannot make me marry ANYONE. Marriage does not belong to the church. Marriage preceded both the church and the state. In Ohio I have been given a certificate by the State that permits me to solemnize a marriage but does not order me to perform marriages. In other words it belongs to the state. My call documents say nothing about the necessity of me performing a marriage. My ordination vows say nothing about performing marriages.

In some countries, France for sure, the state marries and pastors may bless those marriages. That may be our best alternative.

Yes, above all we must teach our people what marriage is and uphold the union of man and wife while speaking gently but firmly that only a man and woman can have a marriage. Our bodies teach us that.

IN Christ,

Arthur M. Casci