Researcher: Vote will ban gay unions By John H. Adams The Presbyterian Layman Volume 34, Number 1 Posted January 24, 2001 A Presbyterian researcher predicts that presbyteries will approve a constitutional amendment that will prohibit ministers from conducting same-sex unions. Jack Marcum of Research Services of the Presbyterian Church (USA) said, “The vote may well be close, but opposition to same-sex unions will carry the day in a majority of presbyteries.” His prediction was in a report posted on the official web site of the denomination. Marcum said he based his prediction on a sample survey by the Presbyterian Panel. He said the major findings from the survey were: “Majorities of members (57 percent) and elders (61 percent) favor prohibiting PCUSA clergy from presiding at same-sex union ceremonies. But ministers are more divided: Only about half of pastors (49.6 percent) favor such a prohibition and almost two-thirds of specialized clergy (64 percent) oppose it.” A majority (87) of the denomination’s 173 presbyteries must ratify Amendment O before it can be included in the Book of Order of the denomination’s constitution. As The Presbyterian Layman went to press, the early voting by presbyteries was 12-6, running 2-1 against prohibiting ministers from conducting same-sex unions, but there was no evidence that the trend will continue. As in the past, presbyteries that favor union services and ordination of practicing homosexuals were voting early and creating the appearance of momentum. But none of the votes in the 18 presbyteries that had made their decisions varied from the way they cast their ballots in 1996-97 on what was then known as “Amendment B” – now the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard in the denomination’s constitution. If votes from the denomination’s 173 presbyteries continue to express the same perspective as they did in 1996-97, Presbyterians will prohibit ministers from conducting same-sex unions and bar congregations from using church buildings for such ceremonies. In 1996-97, when the denomination had 171 presbyteries, the vote against ordaining self-affirming, practicing homosexuals was 97-74. Presbytery debates and votes began in November and will continue through March. Each presbytery schedules the date for its vote. Scattered reports from presbyteries may indicate Presbyterians are growing weary of debating homosexual issues. Presbytery officials report having fewer speakers and briefer debates. In West Virginia, for instance, where prior issues affecting homosexuals have been hotly contested, the debate lasted only about 45 minutes. But that was enough time to put the issue in perspective – at least from the anti-amendment view. The Rev. James Walther of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Elkview, W.Va., said a decision on the amendment would not make the denomination’s debate over homosexual issues go away. Walter said the overriding issue is “interpretation of Scripture” and that he did not see any common ground for liberals and evangelicals.

Respond to this article

Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links