The Rev. Tom Eklo of Richfield’s St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, after voicing his opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota, went even further recently, saying he’d like to get out of the marriage business altogether.
“I don’t think clergy should be doing marriages,” he said. “We’re basically puppets of the state in that regard.”
According to Eklo the state is responsible for marrying individuals””and because marriage is thus a civil, rather than religious contract””religious organizations, of any denomination, should not be tasked with performing marriages.
Yes, by all means, country clubs should not be doing marriages.
It looks like Father could use a refresher course in Sacramental Theology.
What an ignorant series of statements!
But let MN (I pray not) approve same-sex “marriage” and the reluctant reverend will put up a neon sign advertising 24-hr/day availability of the new thing.
I read the comments to the article and one gave a clue to the priest’s orientation. If the comment is correct, that would certainly support Milton’s assumption above.
From the article:
[blockquote]Eklo said that if it ever became legal for same-sex couples to get married in Minnesota and the Episcopal Church approved, he would be willing to perform such ceremonies. While the Episcopal Church’s rules define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, they also call on clergy members to “conform to the laws of the state” governing marriage.
“I obviously can’t conduct a legal civil marriage between two same-sex individuals, because it’s not allowed by the state,†he said. “But if the state gave clergy the responsibility or ability to perform same-sex marriages, I would do that.â€[/blockquote]
Absolutely incredible. He has it completely backwards. The state is who needs to get out of the marriage business. Anyone who wants their particular domestic arrangements recognized by the state should be required to have either a civil union done or draw up appropriate civil contracts and have them notarized by the county. The word “marriage” should be stricken from the legal code. Anyone who wants to be “married” would then be required to go to their respective place of worship, and ask their respective clergy person to marry them. Marriage should be left entirely as a religious institution devoid of any governmental interference.
#6. Thank you! You said it much better than I could. Backwards is right!
His reasoning is rather screwy but his premise is right. Clergy should not be functioning on the state`s behalf in marriage — including same-sex unions — and it`s because they do that churches are caught in this gay marriage war. Clergy should ONLY represent their own faith and belief system. Want a legal marriage?Go to the courthouse and do the civil ceremony, as well. That`s the way it is in other countries.