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Gay Clergy on Plate for Presbyterians
by Carol Forsloff
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/266403
February 3, 2009
Presbyterians have examined the issues and some of them have decided that having gay clergy is acceptable. They join many Episcopalians and members of the United Church of Christ on this issue.
On the other hand, given the divisions that are continuing to disrupt some congregations on this matter, it is likely the Presbyterians will be getting some flak from members.
On January 27, 2009 a news release from the Presbyterians announced that six Presbyteries had voted yes on a constitutional amendment towards allowing gay and lesbian ordination after 30 years of debating it. The Presbyterians that voted affirmative towards allowing it included Des Moines, Northern Kansas, Newton, New Jersey, Baltimore, Albany and New Castle. The votes were taken on January 17 of this year.
On January 27, five more presbyteries voted, including: Utica (NY), Carlisle (PA), Palisades (NJ), Donegal (PA), and San Fernando (CA) and, on January 31, four more will cast their ballots: Southern Kansas, Western North Carolina, Huntingdon (PA), and Cayuga-Syracuse (NY). Results of these votes will soon be announced.
Past practice required gay and lesbian couples to be celibate but did not require the same of married ministers. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church passed an amendment in June of 2008 eliminating that ban on gay candidates. The legislation won't take effect until the final vote of the presbyteries. Over half of them will vote by the end of February.
Read the entire article here:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/266403
