Presbyterians to keep ban on gay ordination

RICHMOND, Va. — The Presbyterian Church (PC) (USA) rejected a recommendation July 2 that would have made it easier for non­celibate homosexuals to be ordained in the church.

A church court’s official interpretation of two parts of the PC (USA)’s constitution currently bars practicing gays from being ordained as ministers or elders in the denomination. The first provision bans ordination of “self-affirming, practicing homosexuals,” and a 1996 amendment requires church officers — such as ministers and elders — “to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”

The PC (USA) Committee on Church Orders and Ministry discussed five resolutions that repealed either the interpretations or the provisions themselves during the church’s general assembly meeting in Richmond, Va. The committee agreed 35–30 to present the general assembly with a recommendation that overturned the interpretation.

However, delegates replaced the recommendation — on a 259–255 vote — with a minority report. The report insisted on keeping the interpretation in place while enlisting a task force to lead the church in the discernment period, with the task force to give a final report and recommendations. Delegates then approved that measure, 297–218.