Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves same sex marriage in church constitution

By John Mack Freeman

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved same sex marriage in the church’s constitution. The organization has approximately 1.8 million members in 10,000 congregations, making it the largest Christian Protestant denomination to officially support same sex marriage.

Though the organization had approved same sex marriage at its legislative assembly last year, it did not become official until a majority of regional boards voted to approve the change. The 86th vote that tipped the margin came from the New Jersey-based Presbytery of the Palisades.

From the New York Times:

The amendment includes a provision that no clergy would be compelled to preside at a gay marriage or host such a ceremony on church property. So far, 41 presbyteries have rejected the redefinition and the vote in one presbytery was tied, according to a tally by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, which advocates for gays in the church and also works to keep Presbyterians united despite theological differences.

In statements Tuesday, church officers urged “mutual forbearance” amid disagreements over the amendment. “We hope that such ‘up/down’ voting does not mark the end, but the continuation of our desire to live in community,” the two top General Assembly officials said.

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