wfn.org | Clarification/correction

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

May 30, 1996 
 
 
 
96202                Clarification/correction 
 
     A story in the May 10 issue of "NEWS BRIEFS" about issues before the 
208th General Assembly (#96166) stated that "Every challenge to such 
ordinations [of gay and lesbian persons to the office of elder and deacon] 
has been turned down by church courts on the grounds that the "Book of 
Order" is permissive." 
 
     Such a categorical statement about so complex an issue requires 
clarification.  The Presbyterian News Service is grateful to the Rev. Zane 
Buxton, manager of judicial process in the Department of Constitutional 
Services of the Office of the General Assembly, for providing information 
about three General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) decisions 
that help clarify this extremely complicated issue. 
 
     1.  In Sallade et al. versus Genesee Valley Presbytery, the PJC 
blocked the call of Downtown Presbyterian Church in Rochester, N.Y., to the 
Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, an openly lesbian woman. 
 
     The Presbyterian News Service points out that this decision blocked a 
call to a minister, not an ordination. 
 
     2.  In LeTourneau et al. versus Twin Cities Area Presbytery, the PJC 
blocked the presbytery's certification of candidate Lisa Larges as ready to 
receive a call. 
 
     The Presbyterian News Service points out that this decision blocked 
the certification of a candidate as ready to be ordained, not an 
ordination.  
 
     3.  In Union Church of Blasdell et al. versus the Presbytery of 
Western New York, the PJC held that the right of a congregation to elect 
officers is limited by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.). 
 
     And here is the crux of the matter and the point the Presbyterian News 
Service was trying to make in the story: Is the Constitution of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) explicit in forbidding the ordination of 
"self-affirming, practicing homosexuals," as the current "authoritative 
interpretation" of the General Assembly states? 
 
     A number of readers have written expressing their opinions that the 
Constitution (and the Bible) at the very least imply that gay and lesbian 
ordination is forbidden.  The problem with implied statements is that they 
are subject to interpretation -- by individuals, by congregations and 
presbyteries and by Permanent Judicial Commissions.  And interpretations 
inevitably vary. 
 
     Thus, the 208th General Assembly has received more than 45 proposed 
amendments to the Constitution, most calling for explicit language on the 
question of ordination of gay and lesbian Presbyterians to church office to 
be added to the Constitution. 
 
     The Presbyterian News Service apologizes for making a categorical 
statement about an issue that defies categorical statements.  The 
Presbyterian News Service also stands by the point it was trying to make 
about the issue, however imprecisely that point was stated. 

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