Across the nation, religious groups are analyzing the implications of last week’s Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. Many faith leaders are among those praising the decision as a big step toward justice and equality. But others say the decision was wrong. The Southern Baptist Convention, the US Catholic bishops, and the Mormons all reaffirmed their belief that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Several religious groups say the Court’s ruling could endanger their religious liberty.

In another controversial ruling before the end of its term, the Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to allow a lethal injection drug that has been blamed in several botched executions. Last year one such execution in Oklahoma set off a furor among death penalty opponents. They said the sedative, called midazolam, allows needless pain. But the Court’s majority said the drug did not violate the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.