Saturday, December 11, 2021

6th Circuit Hears Arguments In Challenge To Ban On Marriage Ceremonies By Clergy Ordained Online

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on Thursday in Universal Life Church Monastery v. Nabors. (Audio of full oral arguments). In the case, a Tennessee federal district court held that the Universal Life Church and two of its ministers have standing to challenge Tennessee's ban on solemnization of marriages by clergy who received online ordination. It also held that the state Attorney General, District Attorney Generals and County Clerks cannot claim sovereign immunity and are proper defendants. (See prior posting.)  Courthouse News Service reports on the arguments. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]