COLUMBUS, OH - Liberty Counsel sent a letter in support of State Representative Vitale's leadership in sponsoring HB 286, known as the Ohio Pastor Protection Act. HB 286 specifies that no ordained or licensed minister and no religious society is required to solemnize a marriage or allow property to be used to host a marriage ceremony if the marriage does not conform to the minister's or society's sincerely held religious beliefs.
While ministers, churches, and religious societies already have a constitutional right to perform or host only those marriage ceremonies that conform to their religious beliefs, HB 286 is necessary to provide clarity in a statute so that the common person does not have to review voluminous court opinions.
"The Ohio Pastor Protection Act is a positive step toward upholding the constitutional rights of pastors and religious organizations," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "This law sets forth clearly the religious liberty protections of clergy and churches regarding the solemnizing of marriage," said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
