Complaint accuses moderator of defying ordination standard By John H. Adams The Layman Online Saturday, June 26, 2004 2004 General Assembly Richmond, Virginia June 26-July 3, 2004 General Assembly news index RICHMOND, Va. – Just hours before she ended her one-year term as moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Susan R. Andrews was notified that she has been named in a disciplinary complaint alleging that she has promoted defiance of the church's constitution by participating in the installation of a member of her staff who says he is a practicing homosexual. Repeatedly in her travels for the denomination, Andrews has lobbied for repeal of G-6.0106b, the "fidelity/chastity" ordination standard in the Book of Order. Paul Rolf Jensen of California, a conservative activist in the denomination, handed Andrews a copy of his complaint just after she presided at the opening plenary of the 216th General Assembly Saturday morning. Later Saturday, the commissioners were to elect Andrews' successor. Jensen had previously filed nearly two dozen complaints, contending that Presbyterian officers and ordaining bodies were publicly defying the prohibition against ordaining practicing homosexuals as deacons, elders and ministers. Those complaints were instrumental in leading to the ouster of one minister from the denomination and the decisions by presbyteries not to ordain three homosexual candidates for the ministry. Jensen had previously filed a complaint against the Rev. Eric Scott Winette, but the charges were dismissed by an investigating committee in the National Capital Presbytery. Andrews gave testimony to the investigating committee, Jensen said, which will be "powerful evidence against Andrews in the present matter." As moderator, Andrews has lobbied publicly against the ordination law, which, Jensen contends, runs contrary to her obligation to "present, strengthen and encourage the church." He said she "has abandoned that obligation and her ordination vows, by first participating in, and, second, supporting the continuation in office, of her associate pastor at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (of Chevy Chase, Md.) of the Rev. Eric Scott Winette." Jensen told reporters that he notified Andrews two months ago that he intended to file the disciplinary case unless she agreed not to continue participating in efforts to defy the constitution. The complaint against Andrews was filed in the National Capital Presbytery. Jensen said Winette spoke during a previous General Assembly "speak out" and said he was a practicing homosexual. "Before that, Andrews had testified about Winette's homosexuality while Andrews spoke in favor of an overture to remove G-6.0106b."

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