Church leaders call on Governor Pat McCrory to defend NC marriage amendment
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Pastors from across North Carolina gathered at the legislative building in Raleigh Tuesday, calling on Gov. Pat McCrory to defend the constitution - something they say Attorney General Roy Cooper may not be willing to do.
Just over two years ago, North Carolinians took to the polls.
"We said in this state that we do not want marriage in the state of North Carolina redefined," said Dr. Patrick Wooden, pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ.
Now, all eyes are on Virginia where a Court of Appeals three-judge panel could support a federal judge's February ruling that Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. That decision in the 4th Circuit could then impact our state's ban as well.
"We have a judicial coup d'tat where we are seeing judges who believe they cannot only interpret the law but now they believe they can make and implement the law," said Dr. Mark Harris, Sr. Pastor of First Baptist Church of Charlotte. "And sadly we have an attorney general in North Carolina who shows little to no passion for defending this amendment."
With Cooper voicing his personal opposition to the ban, the North Carolina Pastors Network isn't taking any chances.
"We want to go over his head if you will and say to the governor, listen, there are other constitutional attorneys, there are people who are ready who feel - who agree with the law and will give it the defense that it should be given," said Wooden.
Supporters of same-sex marriage say defending our state's ban will soon be moot point.
"Not only is the amendment going to be indefensible after the ruling, but spending taxpayer dollars in favor of this amendment when it has no leg to stand on rather than to pay teachers is indefensible," said Chris Sgro, Exec. Dir. of Equality NC.
No matter the ruling in Virginia, church leaders argue it's more a matter of principle.
"This has now become an issue of, are we gonna defend the constitution? Marriage amendment's already part of it," said Harris.
A spokesperson for Cooper issued a statement to ABC11 Tuesday, saying the attorney general continues to defend the state's marriage laws in court and the 4th Circuit's ruling in the Virginia case will likely have a major impact on cases in North Carolina.
