Moderator wants PCUSA to honor legislative process The Presbyterian Layman Volume 34, Number 2 Posted March 26, 2001 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Syngman Rhee, moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is calling on Presbyterians to honor the “legislative process” on divisive issues – such as Amendment O – then work toward reconciliation after an issue is decided. Rhee gave his moderator’s report Feb. 23 to the General Assembly Council. “We are all aware of the efforts of the middle governing body leadership trying to find some ‘other way’ than the legislative process we need to go through,” he said. The employees of synods and presbyteries did not describe what they meant by the “other way” – the “third way” in their terminology. But it did not lean toward legislative resolution of such issues as same-sex unions or the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexuals. Several liberal groups in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have endorsed the “third way,” including 19 former moderators. Rhee did not lend his name to that endorsement. From his visits with presbyteries, Rhee said he was encouraged by the way that Presbyterians are dealing with decisions on Amendment O, which would prohibit ministers from conducting same-sex unions. “There is a strong sense of the mutual understanding toward each other as we struggle with the difficult, sensitive and divisive issues,” he said. “We may not understand each other’s positions … but we are dealing with them with mutual understanding and trust and being able to live with the decisions we have made.” As has been his custom, Rhee gave an upbeat report about his impressions of the denomination. He said there is “a deep sense of commitment by faithful Presbyterians for missions.”

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