Ben Fractenberg
Phone: 323.246.0935
Email:fractenberg@glaad.org

Presbyterian Highest Court Clears Spahr of Censure

Tiburon, CA – Today the Presbyterian’s General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) reversed the two-year-old Synod decision to censure Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr for her role in marrying same-gender couples. Today’s decision held that the Presbyterian constitution contains no prohibition against marrying same-gender couples.

“I am grateful that the Commission let stand the Presbytery’s original ruling which affirmed my ministry,” said Rev. Spahr. “The Church is a place of welcome and hospitality in which I will continue to honor relationships of love and commitment, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Surprisingly, by a bare majority, the decision – while clearing Spahr – attempted to set forth language that could be interpreted to preclude such marriages in the future. 

In a dissent signed by five Commission members – a significant minority – the members stated, “It is not the place of this Commission to go any farther and step into the legislative realm…In rendering it’s decision, the majority has taken the liberty of legislating in the guise of interpreting inconsistencies” within the constitution and current case law.

“We are deeply troubled by the majority’s insistence on reading any language into the constitution that renders these marriages anything less than fully equal.” said, Sara Taylor, Rev. Spahr’s attorney.  “By this act, the majority exceeded its judicial authority with respect to marriage in this denomination.”

“I will continue to honor my calling to perform marriages for all couples who love one another and are committed to one another,” said Spahr. “To not perform these marriages would go against my faith, my conscience and most importantly, against God.”

The Judicial Commission’s ruling marks the end of a four-year legal journey for Spahr that began in 2004, when she was charged by her local Presbytery for performing same-gender weddings. The ruling by the Redwoods Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission originally affirmed Reverend Spahr, ruling that performing same-gender weddings was not “outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith as understood by the Presbytery of the Redwoods.”  That historic decision was appealed and sent to the next highest church court, the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission, which ruled against the Redwoods Presbytery's affirmation of Janie's Ministry. That decision was appealed and this past Friday was heard by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, which is the church’s highest court.

“Our marriage affirms that no matter whom you love, you still have complete access to God,” said Sherrill Figuera and Annie Senecahl, a couple married by Spahr and named in the disciplinary case.

For complete text of the decision click here.
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