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Politics & Government

Mineola Churches React to Same-Sex Marriage Law

Local religious leaders express their opinions of the new same-sex marriage law in New York.

In signing the Marriage Equality Act into law on June 24, made New York the sixth and largest state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. While the bill received a majority 33-29 in the state senate, the spark of the debate over same-sex marriage has continued as strong as ever since its passage.

Before passage of the bill many state representatives were debating on protections for religious organizations.

“Marriage seems to be something that the government wants to regulate,” Pastor Chester Easton of the said. “The church is going to continue to do what it does and the government is going to continue to do what it does.”

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The same sentiment could be felt up and down Willis Avenue, which is often referred to as “the Street of Churches,” having about seven houses of worship in the area, all of whom are facing the new law in their own ways.

Easton describes his parish as “mostly conservative” but also noted that there are “mixed feelings” on same-sex marriage among parishioners. Still, the church has a conservative outlook on the definition of marriage.

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“For the most part, we don’t think this is what God wants,” Easton said.

Msgr. Robert Coyle of could not be reached for comment on the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York, directing inquiries to a statement from Bishop William Murphy shared his feelings on the matter on the Rockville Center Diocese website.

“True marriage is not a human right that is accessible to everyone because they want the title,” Murphy’s statement reads. “Only if they are capable of entering into what marriage actually is: a union of a man and a woman, and the fruit of that union, can and should such a union be recognized by the state.”

Murphy’s statement goes on to say that he believes homosexuals should be treated with dignity and afforded the protection by the state because they are human.

The Catholic Bishops of New York also took time to comment on the new law.

“We bishops share with so many of you deep disappointment in the presumption of our state’s elected officials in the radical redefinition of marriage,” the note reads. "The definition of marriage resides in the plan of God for humankind."

Rev. Andrew Triolo, pastor of the , also commented on the bill:

“In my opinion, the bill making room for same-gender unions is an, issue of civil right, as such I support it. Our denomination allows for pastors and congregations to decide for themselves whether or not they would bless the relationship of a couple in a committed lifelong same-gender union.”

When asked about the potential of same-sex unions, Triolo said he does not believe anyone in his congregation would perform a ceremony “if requested.”

Same-sex marriage will become legal in New York State on July 24, one month after the bill was passed into office and signed by Cuomo.

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