Presbyterian critics: community's 'gay marriage' vote ignores Christian consensus

Louisville, Ky., Mar 19, 2015 / 16:17 pm

A majority of presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have voted to redefine marriage, but one Presbyterian group warned that the denomination is "capitulating to the culture."

"By approving this change we are disregarding the clear teaching of Scripture, the wisdom of those who have lived and died for the faith before us, and the continuing consensus of the contemporary church around the world. To do this is both disobedient and unwise," The Fellowship Community said March 17.

"We know this particular change was intended by its proponents to extend the grace and the good news of Jesus Christ, and to further the witness of his Kingdom. We believe it accomplishes neither."

A majority of the denomination's 171 regional bodies voted in the ecclesial community's General Assembly to approve a constitutional amendment that says marriage is now "a unique commitment between two people."

While the amendment to the denomination's constitution acknowledges that marriage is "traditionally" a union of a man and a woman, the denomination already allowed ministers to perform "gay marriages" in states which recognize same-sex unions as marriages.

The Presbyterian denomination will not require ministers with objections to perform any "gay marriage" ceremonies.

Backers of the redefinition of marriage, such as Brian D. Ellison of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, said it means the ecclesial community "fully recognizes that the love of gays and lesbian couples is worth celebrating in the faith community."

The Louisville, Ky.-based Presbyterian Church (USA) has about 1.8 million members, down from 2 million members in 2010 and 3.1 million in 1983, when two Presbyterian denominations merged.

In 2011 the denomination voted to eliminate standards requiring clergy to show fidelity in marriage, and chastity in single life.

The denomination is following the path of several other U.S. religious denominations.

Clergy may perform same-sex "marriages" in the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Quakers, and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches – denominations which historically have had significant U.S. cultural and political influence. Clergy in Reform and Conservative Judaism also may solemnize such same-sex unions, the New York Times reports.

The Fellowship Community said Presbyterians who do not want to compromise teachings "must be willing to go to the darkest and loneliest places with the compassion, conviction, and hope of the gospel we profess."

The amendment to the Presbyterian denomination's constitution will take effect June 21.