Equal Right to Marry in the PCUSA: Going Forward

Regardless of what the Governor of Hawaii did yesterday--vetoed normality for abnormality by telling couples who are in same sex relationships that they do not have the same rights as heterosexual couples--the PCUSA moved forward today, by a few inches, toward recognizing all couples in a committed relationship.

Having been at several General Assemblies, I know of the euphoria right there in the Assembly area, in which it feels like it is all going right.

Then I've been to Presbytery meetings, and watched other Presbytery meetings, in which it is all undone quickly and completely.

So I celebrate a small step or two forward.

I anticipate a step backwards soon at the Presbytery level.

Then I anticipate another step forward at the next General Assembly.

Then another waiting period for Presbyteries to ratify or deny ratification of decisions made at GA.

So here's the news article below.

Enjoy for the moment!

B

The Presbyterian Church USA would become the largest denomination in the nation to allow same-sex marriage if the recommendations from the Civil Unions & Marriage Committee are approved, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

"The Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) would become the largest denomination in the nation to allow same-sex marriage if it follows a recommendation made Tuesday by a church legislative committee.

And another church committee, gathering for the church's weeklong legislative General Assembly in Minneapolis, recommended the church begin ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians.

The assembly's committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues voted 34-18 to change the definition of marriage in the church constitution to describe marriage as a covenant between "two people" rather than between "a man and a woman."

This "would recognize committed, lifelong relationships that are already being lived out by our members," said a committee statement."