Pastor at Senate
invocation curses
'spirit' of gay
marriage
From the Star-Ledger
(nj.com) on the Web, December 12, 2006
A pastor delivering the invocation at
the opening of yesterday's Senate session included in his prayer a condemnation
of gay marriage.
"We curse the spirit that would come to bring about same-sex marriage," the Rev.
Vincent Fields, pastor of Greater Works Ministries in Absecon, prayed as
lawmakers listened, heads bowed. "We ask you to just look over this place
today, cause them to be shaken in their very heart in uprightness, Lord, to do
that is right before you."
Earlier yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to allow
gay couples to form civil unions with the same rights as married couples.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a co-sponsor of that bill, said it was
"completely inappropriate" for Fields to include the issue in the invocation.
"I do not think a pastor should be using the microphone in the Senate for a
prayer to open the session by lobbying for or against something," Weinberg said.
"Usually, if you're going to lobby members you have to wear a lobbyist badge."
Fields could not be reached last night for comment.
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