Seven Marriage Commissioners Forced Out In NFLD

A hat tip to Kathy Shaidle at Relapsed Catholic for this link:

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. February 3, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Seven marriage commissioners in the province have resigned after an activist judge ordered commissioners to perform same-sex "weddings" or face dismissal. Seven of 67 commissioners chose to resign their posts prior to a January 31 deadline set by the Newfoundland Supreme Court.

Gander mayor Claude Elliot told the Canadian Press that forcing commissioners to resign is an assault on religious freedoms. "It was pretty straight forward from the (provincial) Department of Justice that you either had to perform them or resign," he said Wednesday.

The Federal Justice Minister said last year that there would be provisions in the new bill ensuring marriage commissioners would not be compelled to perform the ceremonies. But the licensing and enforcement of commissioners is a provincial matter.

But of course, no religion will be impacted by same-sex marriage, says Paul Martin. Nope. None at all. Nada. Zippo. Just ask him. Trust him.

St. John's homosexual-activist group EGALE vice-president Gemma Hickey said she was not surprised some commissioners would resign, given that homophobia is especially prevalent in rural areas.

Yup. It's those hate-filled Christian rubes out there in the countryside. Don't worry, Gemma, we have enough activist judges in Canada to take good care of all of them God-fearing homophobes.