Pensacola pastor ready to officiate same-sex marriages


  • October 23, 2014
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A local pastor who is an authority on the marriage equality movement believes Florida is on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage and is offering to conduct free marriages for LGBT couples once they become legal. On Oct. 13, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi asked the Florida Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of Florida’s prohibition on same-sex marriage once and for all. Based on similar cases around the country, the Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt believes these are the final days of discrimination against Florida same-sex partners and their families. Merritt is the senior pastor of Holy Cross Metropolitan Community Church in Pensacola and Director for Marriage Equality and Relational Issues of The Moderator’s Public Policy Team for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, the denomination to which Holy Cross MCC belongs. “Loving same-sex partners across Florida have waited long enough to experience marriage equality in our own state. My partner of over 20 years and I are just one example. Therefore, on the very day it becomes legal to do so, and after completing all Marriage License requirements, Holy Cross Metropolitan Community Church will open its doors to committed same-sex couples seeking marriage. I will officiate at their legal weddings free of charge for the first 48 hours. “This will be a time of great celebration for fair minded people of faith everywhere, knowing that the honorable values of equality, justice and love have one out again After all, it is God’s will for it to be so.” As soon as a ruling is announced, Merritt said couples may contact the church via its website at www.holycrossmcc.com to schedule wedding times.
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