Earlier this week a judge in York County, PA ruled a marriage by one of our ministers invalid.
In response we have prepared the following press release.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Our records show that Adam Johnston was a ULC ordained minister prior to the marriage of Dorie E. Heyer and Jacob T. Hollerbush on the 24th of August, 2006. The brevity of this marriage, as with many others in America, reflects not on the Universal Life Church minister but on the couple. It is inappropriate for Ms. Heyer to blame the failure of her marriage on the ULC administered ceremony.
We have not seen Judge Cook's decision regarding the authorization of Adam Johnston to perform marriages under Pennsylvania statutes. It is our position that any infringement upon the rights of our ministers is an infringement on the protections of the First Amendment which guarantees:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; "
As such, it is apparent that Judge Cook's decision is an impermissible attack upon the constitution. Moreover, the Universal Life Church Monastery is prepared to take the following action:
- Seek Constitutional counsel licensed in the state of Pennsylvania to bring action in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. [42 USC 1985]
- Name the county officials in their individual and official capacity in a Federal lawsuit for making arbitrary and capricious decisions under the color of law.
- Seek a declaratory judgment asking that the Federal Judiciary enjoin York County officials and the state of PA from making further decisions as to the legitimacy of one church over another.
G. Martin Freeman, President
Universal Life Church Monastery Storehouse
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