wfn.org | ACC offers three options on homosexuality issue

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

29-June-1996 
 
GA96011 
 
 
    ACC offers three options on homosexuality issue 
 
    The Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC) is offering three 
options to the 208th General Assembly on the issue of the ordination of 
self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons.  One option would send to 
the presbyteries a proposed amendment to the Book of Order that would 
prohibit ordination, a second would send an amendment that would permit 
ordination, and a third would send both to the presbyteries to choose 
between them. 
 
    The three options go to the Ordination and Human Sexuality committee as 
advice to consider as they deal with the 45 overtures referred to them on 
the homosexual ordination issue. 
 
    Option #1 would amend Book of Order G-6.0106 to add a section "b." 
saying: "Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in 
obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional 
standards of the church.  These standards require fidelity within the 
covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (W-4.9001), or chastity 
in singleness.  Persons engaging in conduct not consistent with these 
standards shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or 
ministers of the Word and Sacrament." 
 
    Option #2 would amend the same paragraph in the Book of Order by adding 
a section "b." saying: "Since a congregation, session, or presbytery is 
neither required to consider nor prohibited from considering qualifications 
for ordination not specifically enumerated in the Book of Order, it is the 
right and responsibility of sessions and presbyteries to examine and 
discern the moral fitness of candidates for ordination and/or 
installation." 
 
    Approval of Option #2 by a simple majority of the presbyteries, whether 
sent to the presbyteries by itself or along with Option #1,  "would rescind 
the authoritative interpretation of 1993 and all related interpretations of 
the General Assembly regarding constitutional law, which currently 
prohibits the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexual 
persons....  Such action would not modify or rescind previous General 
Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission decisions," according to the ACC 
report. 
 
    At the 205th General Assembly in 1993, the ACC gave a firm opinion that 
the 1978/1979 statements--called "definitive guidance--prohibiting the 
ordination of practicing homosexual persons "carry the weight of 
`authoritative interpretations.'" The ACC report said the "authoritative 
interpretation" was established by decisions of the General Assembly 
Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) and was binding on governing bodies. 
 
    The report further said, "Current constitutional law in the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  is that self-affirming, practicing homosexual 
persons may not be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, elders, 
or deacons." 
 
    The 205th Assembly (1993) then adopted "as `authoritative 
interpretation'" the ACC report, thus making the PJC authoritative 
interpretation also an authoritative interpretation of the General 
Assembly, according to Richard Baldwin, chair of the ACC. 
 
    If Option #2 were approved by a majority of the presbyteries, the 
Assembly's 1993 authoritative interpretation would be rescinded, but the 
PJC's authoritative interpretation would remain in effect unless the PJC 
gave a written opinion reversing it, according to the ACC's current report. 
 
    In response to critics who say that the ACC has failed to give 
leadership to the 208th Assembly Margaret J. Thomas, ACC chair during the 
Assembly, said, "We're advising the Assembly what its options are to 
accomplish multiple purposes that are contained in the overtures.  The 
Assembly will provide the leadership that it wants to provide. We are not 
leaders of the church." 
 
 
Bill Lancaster 

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