wfn.org | Cincinnati judicial commission overturns ordination

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

29-June-1996 
 
GA96008 
 
 
    Cincinnati judicial commission overturns ordination of allegedly gay 
elder 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--The Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of Cincinnati 
Presbytery has declared the ordination of an allegedly gay man by Knox 
Presbyterian Church "null and void." 
 
    In a trial held June 10-11, the commission voted 4-3 that "the session 
of Knox Presbyterian Church committed an unconstitutional act by not making 
further inquiry into the sexual orientation and practice of [the elder 
elect] and by ordaining him." 
 
    Cincinnati executive presbyter the Rev. Sam Roberson and the Rev. Tom 
York, pastor of the church, told the Presbyterian News Service they expect 
the Knox Church session to appeal the decision. 
 
    The man was ordained and installed Jan. 7, 1996.  Another member of the 
1,100-member Knox Church filed a complaint with the PJC on March 2. 
 
    In its ruling, the PJC directed the Knox Church session to choose one 
of two options: 
 
    * "Inform the congregation's nominating committee that there is a 
vacancy on the session," or 
 
    * "further examine the elder with these specific questions: `Did you 
state that you are a gay man?' and `Are you a practicing homosexual?'" 
 
    The commission concluded from testimony it heard that there was "ample 
evidence" that the elder was a "self affirming, practicing homosexual" and 
therefore that the session "should have made further inquiry into [the 
elder's] sexual orientation and current practice..." 
 
    According to testimony, the session responded to questions about the 
elder's sexual orientation and practice by asking as part of its 
examination of all newly-elected elders and deacons, "Is there anything in 
your life which would prevent you from answering the constitutional 
questions with integrity?" 
 
    The PJC ruled that the question "cannot be considered sufficient" 
because it did not address the specific issue of his sexual orientation and 
practice and because it was "vague and subjective."  The commission also 
stated that "the question also permits one who disagrees with the binding 
nature of the authoritative interpretation [barring ordination of active 
gay and lesbian persons] to respond satisfactorily according to the 
dictates of conscience while ignoring the specific details of the 
constitution and authoritative interpretations." 
 
    Roberson defended the actions of the Knox Church session.  "Knox takes 
this matter of examining elders very seriously," he said.  "I believe this 
[the examination by the session] is good church work -- they very carefully 
constructed and worded their examination questions." 
 
    The three dissenters in the PJC decision agreed.  Citing the historic 
principles of the "Book of Order" that "God alone is Lord of 
conscience...," the minority asked, "How much inquiry is invasion of 
privacy?  There is no reference in the polity of the church that 
specifically delineates the process required of sessions...regarding such 
matters." 
 
    York, who has only been pastor of Knox Church for six weeks, said the 
dispute has "not created a congregation in turmoil."  He said there are 
basically two groups of people at Knox Church: "those who believe you ought 
not to violate the law and an advocacy group for changing church law [on 
gay ordination]." 
 
    York said there "is an air of civility marked by a great deal of 
respect" between those in Knox Church who disagree about the issue, "and 
that goes a long way in this kind of situation." 
 
    Roberson agreed.  "The Knox congregation knows this person -- he is a 
longtime active member -- and respects him.  Knox probably won't become a 
"More Light" church, he added, "but they won't back away from this man." 
 
 
 
Jerry Van Marter 

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