John Kallam Jr., a Rockingham County magistrate, submitted his resignation Thursday over his opposition to performing gay marriages.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports that Kallam sent a letter to Chief District Court Judge Fred Wilkins. Kallam said he couldn't fulfill his oath of office after gay marriages were legalized in North Carolina last week.
Kallam says marrying a same-sex couple violates his religious beliefs.
The resignation comes after a magistrate in Pasquotank County made headlines for refusing to marry a gay couple. He also cited his religious views.
North Carolina court officials sent a memo to state magistrates Wednesday that said refusing to marry same-sex couples is a violation of their oath of office. Magistrates who don't comply could face suspension, dismissal and even a misdemeanor criminal charges for failure to discharge their duties.
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