Alabama High Court Orders Halt to Defiant Gay Marriage Licenses

News Staff : Mar 4, 2015
CBN News

"As it has done for approximately two centuries, Alabama law allows for 'marriage' between only one man and one woman. Alabama probate judges have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage licenses contrary to this law. Nothing in the United States Constitution alters or overrides this duty." -State Supreme Court ruling

(Montgomery, AL)—[CBN News] The Alabama Supreme Court has put a halt to same-sex marriage in their state.

The justices are defying federal courts, and ordering state probate judges to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Six justices on the court ruled that the U.S. Constitution doesn't alter the judges' duty to administer state law.

Alabama law defines marriage as between only one man and one woman, and the justices say a federal court cannot tell them to change that.

The court's most outspoken opponent of gay marriage, Chief Justice Roy Moore, recused himself from the case.

Joe Godfrey, executive director of the Baptist-run Alabama Citizens Action Program, says the high court's decision will create "some stability" in Alabama until the US Spreme Court rules on marriage later this year.