wfn.org | Presbyterians vote to change policy on ordination of gays and lesbians

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2001-162

Presbyterians vote to change policy on ordination of gays and lesbians

by James Solheim
jsolheim@episcopalchurch.org

     (ENS) The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted June 15 by a 60 
percent margin to lift its ban on ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians, setting 
off what the church's newly elected moderator called a "Presbyterian civil war." The 
action now goes to the church's 173 regional presbyteries where it faces an uncertain 
fate.

     If ratified, the church would delete a provision in the church's Book of Order 
that requires those called to office "to live either in fidelity within the covenant of 
marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." Earlier the assembly's 
ordinations standard committee approved the change by a vote of 31-25.

     Despite calls for unity and restrained joy among proponents of the measure, many 
left the meeting convinced that the church was facing a split on the issue. "What is 
lost is the sense that the whole church can speak to an issue that affects the whole 
church," said the Rev. Jerry Andrews, who heads a coalition of moderate evangelicals. 

     The Rev. John Buchanan of Chicago applauded the decision as "promising and 
healthy," but he did express concern for church unity. Pointing out that lifting the 
ban doesn't force congregations and presbyteries to ordain gays and lesbians, he 
thought it would be "a way to live together with deep and profound differences."

     Andrews is convinced the presbyteries will reject the changes, as they did four 
years ago when the General Assembly passed an amendment softening the church's position 
on ordinations. Buchanan expects approval because "slowly but surely the whole society 
is seeing that gay and lesbian people don't pose a threat to overall morality."

Persistent differences

     At a press conference following the vote, reactions varied as much as they did 
during the debate on the floor of the assembly. 

     Nancy Maffett of Colorado Springs said that "there is a great weariness in the 
church. I feel this will be damaging to the Body and its unity."

     Joe Rightmyer, executive director of Presbyterians for Renewal, said that the 
debate "was not just a difference of opinion" but included "statements of unbelief." He 
said that he talked with pastors who had tears in their eyes, worried whether they can 
hold together their congregations.

     On the other hand, members of the More Light caucus favoring the change said in a 
statement, "Today the church has returned to its historic principles of allowing local 
churches to make decisions about ordination."

     Moderator Jack Rogers said that he was said that he was prepared both to rejoice 
and weep with his friends on both sides of the issue. "As I have looked out at the 
commissioners I have come to believe they represent the broad center of the 
Presbyterian Church," adding that he didn't doubt the sincerity represented in spite of 
obvious differences. 

     "The thing that hurts deep in my soul is that almost everybody feels like a victim 
in the situation," Rogers added. "There are good people on all sides looking at this 
differently." He expressed the hope that a new task force would be able to listen 
"widely" to all sides and help maintain the church's unity.

--James Solheim is director of Episcopal News Service.