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For Immediate Release Presbyterian Judicial Commission Reverses Decision Granting Minister Right to Officiate Marriage Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples Decision denies same-sex couples equal marriage rights within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) BURLINGAME, CA – The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruled today through its Synod of the Pacific Permanent Judicial Commission that Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr committed an offense when she performed the marriages of two lesbian couples. “I am deeply saddened that our church has chosen not to recognize the loving relationships of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of its own family,” said Rev. Spahr upon hearing the decision. “It continues to be my honor as a minister to perform marriages for loving, committed couples, no matter what their sexual orientation.” The case represents another example of American faith communities struggling to offer full acceptance and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Synod PJC decision reads in part "...The1991 Authoritative Interpretation... and Benton v Presbytery of Hudson River...set forth the standards for providing recognition of relationships between persons of the same sex....make clear that ministers are not to conduct ceremonies represented as marriages between persons of the same sex..." Full text of decision “We believe fervently that Rev. Spahr’s actions in performing these marriages were consistent with the highest standards of Christian ministry,” said Sara Taylor, a lawyer representing Rev. Spahr. “We will continue to call on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to live up to the proud tradition reflected in the church’s historic motto: ‘Reformed and always reforming.’” The two lesbian couples that Rev. Spahr married were present with the minister when she heard about the Permanent Judicial Commission's decision. They are B.J. Douglass and Connie Valois of Rochester, NY, and Sherril Figuera and Annie Senechal of Guerneville, CA. “We are confident that it’s only a matter of time before our church will come to honor our marriage and respect the deep love and commitment we have for one another,” Senechal said.
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Woe to you… |
Where is Jesus? |
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Rev 01 082207