[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Because the member of the clergy acts as both an agent of the church and an agent of the state (which is why many members of the clergy would love to see the system changed.) As agents of the state, they can only do what state law allows. If they're in Utah and officiate at a same-sex ceremony, their church may recognize the marriage but the minister/priest, as an agent of the state, cannot bind the state contrary to state law. In other words, state law doesn't give the minister/priest any authority to preside at a same-sex marriage on behalf of the state.

Gracias.