Local Priest Celebrates Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints Church in Pasadena was one of several Southland supporters of same sex marriage who celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday that cleared the way for same-sex marriage unions to resume in California.

“As a California priest and pastor I rejoice that my church can now offer both equal blessing and equal protection to the couples who come to us for marriage,” Russell said.

As an American citizen I am proud that my country is continuing to evolve toward that `more perfect union’ where liberty and justice applies to all, not just some, Americans,” she said.

In a 5-4 ruling, the high court found that backers of Proposition 8 — which was approved by California voters in 2008 and banned same-sex marriage –lacked legal standing to challenge a lower court ruling that found the measure unconstitutional.

“We have never before upheld the standing of a private party to defend the constitutionality of a state statute when state officials have chosen not to,” according to the court’s ruling, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts.

“We decline to do so for the first time here.” Roberts was joined in the majority by Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Antonin Scalia.

Since Proposition 8 supporters had no standing, the court did not issue a ruling on the merits of same-sex marriage or Prop. 8, but let stand the original federal court ruling striking down the measure.

The Supreme Court’s action means same-sex marriage will be legal in California, but not across the nation.