Presbyterian delegates vote against marriage equality

Delegates to the Presbyterian church’s convention in Minneapolis voted not to redefine marriage in their church constitution to include same-sex couples. But the same group of leaders voted to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy. The Presbyterian church is one of the most gay-friendly major Christian denominations in the U.S.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is ranked the 10th-largest church in the U.S. with 2.8 million members, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2010 “Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches.” The church’s media materials mention 2.1 million members.

07/06/2010
Presbyterians may redefine marriage

This week’s General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church – in the U.S. – will consider redefining marriage to include same-sex couples and allowing ministers to perform same-sex weddings. The PCUSA’s newly-elected moderator, Cynthia Bolbach, supports marriage equality.

The 219th General Assembly Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues voted 47-8-2 Monday to approve a report that urges Presbyterians to further study the issues and stay in covenant with each other while they do so.

The report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage, signed by 10 of its 13 members, passed the Assembly committee with minor amendments.