A mixed message is being sent in the Presbyterian Church (USA), says a group that monitors the denomination. The statement follows the acquittal of a Presbyterian minister over charges that she violated denominational law concerning marriage.
The highest court of the denomination recently found that minister Jane Spahr did not violate denominational law when she officiated over the weddings of two lesbian couples. But according to the ruling by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly, Presbyterian ministers must not imply or state that a homosexual ceremony is the same as a traditional marriage. However, Jim Berkley, director of Presbyterian Action with the Institute on Religion & Democracy, says the ruling by the high court was confusing. "They basically said that ... according to our definition of marriage, marriage is only between a man and a woman," explains Berkley. Berkley says the Commission then reasoned that according to their definition of marriage, the ceremony that the minister performed "could not be a marriage service, therefore she could not have been violating the rule." But Berkley argues that the Presbyterian Church USA needs to take a firm stand on the issue of homosexuality. He believes the church should look on homosexual practice as a sin, and instead of skirting the issue it should be condemned. "This is too wishy-washy, too nuanced," he states. "What we need is a very clear statement that says we believe that homosexual practice is [sinful] ... that any practice of homosexuality is not something that the church can countenance, and that we won't be playing around with it ...." In recent developments, Spahr says she is currently counseling three homosexual couples in preparation for marriage.
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