In Historic Vote, Presbyterian Church Passes Measure Opening Doors to Marriage Equality
Source: Human Rights Campaign
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), a church with nearly two million members, made history today by affirming the marriages of same-sex couples. By a 71-29% vote (429-175) the General Assembly passed an amendment to change the description of marriage in the PCUSA church constitution from a relationship between a man and a woman to that between two people. This amendment will only become church law when approved by a majority of the churchs 172 presbyteries. At that time, all couples can be married in their home congregations. In another measure, by a 61-39% vote (371-238) the General Assembly passed an amendment now allowing clergy in marriage equality states to perform marriages.
"This is a giant step forward for the PCUSA Church and for people of faith everywhere. Presbyterian LGBT couples are now one step closer to being able to get married in the church of their choice, said Sharon Groves, Director of HRC's Religion and Faith Program. Perhaps even more significantly, young people and their families can go into a Presbyterian church and know that their denomination has not turned a blind eye to them but has instead taken a giant step toward becoming a more loving and more welcoming place for all people to worship. We at HRC congratulate the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a job well done and thank the good people at More Light Presbyterian, The Covenant Network, So We May Freely Serve and Presbyterian Welcome for their years of dedication that got us to this point.
The PCUSA General Assembly meets biennially and consists of commissioners elected by each of its 172 presbyteries nationwide. The proposal voted on today was originally submitted to the Assembly by the Oregon-based Presbytery of the Cascades. The written proposal explained:
We believe that God created each of us with many differences, including sexual preferences, and that those differences are to be celebrated as part of the creative plan of God.
Read more: http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/in-historic-vote-presbyterian-church-passes-measure-opening-doors-to-marria
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)sheshe2
(83,655 posts)IllinoisBirdWatcher
(2,315 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)3...2...1... swiftboating by the rightwingers
Wonderful news!!!!!
hangfire00
(27 posts)More denominations should follow suit and keep in line with christs teachings of love and tolerance
Cha
(296,868 posts)Fantastic!
Good on the Presbyterian Church, William.. thank you!
mcar
(42,278 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,729 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,503 posts)K&R!
William769
(55,144 posts)muntrv
(14,505 posts)NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)Politicub
(12,165 posts)OldHippieChick
(2,434 posts)along the way, but I am so proud that my congregation sent three commissioners for this historic vote!
Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)I love my denomination!