What are the appropriate limits on the content of an invocation opening a legislative session? The Newark Star-Ledger yesterday reported that Rev. Vincent Fields, pastor of Greater Works Ministries, offered a controversial prayer at the opening of the New Jersey Senate on Monday. Just as the Senate's Judiciary Committee approved legislation to allow gays and lesbians to form civil unions with the same rights as married couples, the minister in his invocation said: "We curse the spirit that would come to bring about same-sex marriage." Sen. Loretta Weinberg, sponsor of the civil union bill, said that it is inappropriate to use the invocation to lobby for or against legislation.
UPDATE: New Jersey Senate President Richard Codey said that Rev. Fields will not be invited back to deliver an invocation. In the past, Fields has also been criticized for not keeping his invocations non-sectarian. (Newark Star-Ledger, Dec. 13.)
