(PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROBERT STARLING)
The Rev. William Owens, president of the Coalition of African American Pastors, speaks at a press conference in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in support of the five pastors who were subpoenaed to hand over their sermons and speeches to Mayor Annise Parker and the city attorney. Owens was joined by Bishop Michael Bates, senior pastor of Calvary Christian Center in St. Louis, Missouri; Cherilyn Eagar, president of American Leadership Fund; and Jeff Chamberlain.
A socially conservative African-American organization commended Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore for his court’s order halting gay marriages in the state.
The Moore court issued a ruling Tuesday demanding that probate judges halt giving marriage licenses to gay couples following a judge’s recent ruling declaring Alabama’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional. Moore recused himself but supported the ruling.
The Coalition of African-American Pastors released a statement Wednesday announcing that Moore will receive the group’s first ever “Letter from Birmingham Jail Courage Award” for his actions.
“Moore’s actions were based on the fact that the federal court does not have the power to redefine marriage in direct opposition to legal tradition and the clearly expressed will of the people,” stated CAAP.
“His courage and conviction persuaded CAAP that Chief Moore was the ideal honoree for the inaugural presentation of an award inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous letter.”
The Reverend William Owens, president of CAAP, said in a statement that Moore’s action halting gay marriage in Alabama was “a principled and persuasive stand for marriage.”
“Chief Justice Moore has singled himself out as someone who is ready to defend our most cherished values and help lead this new civil rights movement,” said Owens.
Source: Christian Post | MICHAEL GRYBOSKI
