PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) — Gov. Phil Bryant says it is "unfortunate" that a predominantly white church in central Mississippi wouldn't allow a black couple to get married in its sanctuary.
Bryant says Mississippi should encourage the union of any couple — as long as the couple is made up of a man and a woman.
Bryant responded to questions about the wedding flap from The Associated Press on Thursday after he spoke at the Neshoba County Fair.
Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson say they weren't allowed to marry at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs.
The Rev. Stan Weatherford, pastor of the church, married the Wilsons earlier this month at a predominantly black church. The wedding was moved after some congregants told Weatherford they opposed allowing black people to marry in the church.
Bryant said, "As hard as we work to try to convince the rest of the world that Mississippi has changed — and, in fact, we have — to see an unfortunate situation like that occur is very disappointing."
