wfn.org | Assembly Acts on Reparative Therapy, Other Issues

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99131 
26-June-1999 
 
        Assembly Acts on Reparative Therapy, Other Issues 
 
FORT WORTH-The 211th General Assembly Thursday evening responded to 
overtures about sexual orientation reparative therapies with a statement 
affirming the existing policy of inclusiveness.  It welcomes all persons 
into membership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  
     The response states that no church should insist that gay and lesbian 
people need therapy to change their orientation, nor should it inhibit or 
discourage those who are unhappy with or confused about their sexual 
orientation from seeking therapy they believe would be helpful.  The 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms that medical treatment, psychological 
therapy, and pastoral counseling should conform to recognized professional 
standards. 
     The Stated Clerk is directed to communicate this decision in a 
pastoral letter to all ministers, clerks of session, clerks of synods and 
presbyteries, and to the ecumenical bodies with which the Presbyterian 
Church (U.S.A.) is in covenantal relationship.  
     The Assembly voted to advocate for the survival of family farmers, 
ranchers, and rural communities, including all other racial ethnic farmers 
and farm workers by raising public and consumer awareness of the problems 
in agriculture today.  To this end, resources will be developed, a study 
and report will be made to the 212th General Assembly, and the Washington 
Office will monitor legislation and governmental actions. 
     The Assembly opposed the privatization of prisons as an abdication of 
responsibility on the part of governments and an abhorrent way of making 
profit by punishing prisoners.  The Advocacy Committee on Social Witness 
Policy is directed to gather information on current policy debates and to 
examine areas of potential conflict of interest on the part of legislators.   
     Mission Responsibility Through Investment is directed to ascertain 
what Presbyterian funds are invested in the prison industry and to make 
recommendations concerning future investment policy to the General 
Assembly.  All Presbyterians are called upon to become prayerfully involved 
in this issue. 
     The Assembly acknowledged the following awards:  
      *   Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare awards - Community 
Ministries and Neighborhood Organizations to United Ministries of 
Greenville, S.C., for community ministries to the homeless; Presbyterian 
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse David Hancock Award to the Rev. C. Howard 
Wallace for outstanding work in drug-alcohol related issues; and Urban 
Network of Congregational Leadership to Betania Presbyterian Church 
of Phoenix, Ariz., for community ministries, and to Old First Presbyterian 
Church of San Francisco, Calif., for community outreach. 
      *  Restorative Justice Award   Elder Frances M. Poranski 
      *  1999 partners in Mission Award   Representative Frank Wolf and the 
Synod of the Trinity. 
 
Nancy Rodman 

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