Pastor defies same-sex marriage law

Diane Trail
ChristianWeek

WOLFVILLE, NS -- A pastor in Nova Scotia has turned in his provincial licence to register marriages in a strongly worded protest against the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia's acceptance of same-sex marriage.

Justice Heather Robertson of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled September 24 that the definition of marriage in the province for civil purposes will now be "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others."

Lewis How, rector of the parish of St. George in New Minas, Nova Scotia, in a letter to the Deputy Registrar General of Vital Statistics, declared: "I will not be a party to this violation of God's first Institution [marriage]; from this court decision forward I do hereby cease to act as the Government's agent for registration of any marriages I may hereafter solemnize in this Province."

"Now we find ourselves in the situation where the court, in collusion with the government, has told us that marriage is not recognized as God-created and they are going to accept a new model of it which is irreconcilable with God's model," How told ChristianWeek.

"When the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia brought down its decision, I had no option whatsoever, in order to remain truthful to all my vows and to God's Word, to say to them, 'This ends our relationship regarding marriage, unless you repent.'"

Terrence Prendergast, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Halifax, told ZENIT news agency, "This watershed moment in the history of marriage in Canada is a call to action.

"Given the fact that law and public policy have severed their connection to marriage, religious communities must now recognize that the full burden for the social and cultural support of marriage in Canadian society now falls squarely upon their shoulders."

How claims the new law is not legal. "The Nova Scotia Supreme Court has acted ultra vires [beyond lawful capacity] with this decision, presumptuously contradicting God's will, as well as the Constitution of Canada," he says.

He adds the clause "sexual orientation" was written into the constitution by an illegal act of the Supreme Court of Canada "against the expressed will of Parliament."

How calls on Christians to defy the new law. "The church must assert itself and reclaim its God-given right to marriage. We must defy the state and its tyranny or we will lose our nation."

Lois Mitchell, Director of Social Action for the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, cautions pastors considering similar action.

"This is a watershed decision, qualitatively different than other controversial decisions in the past," she says. "For example, while abortion legislation offends many individuals and groups, people of faith are not expected to approve abortions and doctors who are opposed to abortion on principle are not expected to perform them. No one expects or asks God to bless an abortion.

"The role of clergy in performing wedding ceremonies is more entangled. It would be naive to think that clergy will be able to refuse to perform same-sex weddings with impunity, if marriage is redefined.

"On the other hand," she notes, "if clergy voluntarily and en masse surrender their licences to solemnize marriages, will this further weaken an already vulnerable institution and thus contribute to further destabilization of society?"

How has been inundated with support for his action from across Canada and United States. He says other clergy will follow his lead.

"I'm not going to be the only one," he says. "I just happen to be the first one."