For Immediate Release

March 3, 2006

Presbyterian Church Affirms Minister’s Marriages of Lesbian Couples

Ruling Creates Historic Opportunity for Church Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons

Santa Rosa, Calif. –   In a victory for marriage equality, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruled through its Redwoods Presbytery permanent judicial commission (PJC) today that Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr committed no offense when she performed the marriages of two lesbian couples. Furthermore, the commission ruled that the marriage of same sex couples is not “outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith as understood by the Presbytery of the Redwoods.” 

“Today, the Church recognized that God’s love is for all – including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,” said Rev. Spahr upon hearing the decision. “This historic ruling means that as a minister I can exercise my conscience to marry two people who have demonstrated their commitment to love, honor and cherish one another.”

The ruling marks another turning point in the struggle faith communities continue to have over full acceptance and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

“We find that Spahr was acting within her right of conscience in performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples,” the judicial commission wrote in its 6-to-1 decision.  “We affirm that the fundamental message of the Scriptures and Confessions is the proclamation of the Good News of God’s love for all people.  It is a message of inclusiveness, reconciliation, and the breaking down of barriers that separate humans from each other, and that this proclamation has primacy in the conduct of the Church.”

The two lesbian couples that Rev. Spahr married were with the minister when the judicial commission announced its decision.

“We are thrilled that the Presbytery has followed God in realizing that our marriage deserved the recognition of all marriages,” said Annie Senechal, a witness in the case. Rev. Spahr married Senechal to Sherrill Figuera on May 27, 2005.

“Today’s ruling is further evidence that Rev. Spahr’s motivation for performing these marriages is consistent with the highest standards of Christian ministry,” said Sara Taylor, a lawyer representing Rev. Spahr. “More than anything we want to thank the permanent judicial commission for allowing us to have this public conversation about marriage equality in the church.”

The verdict is binding within the Presbytery of the Redwoods, which has Presbytery jurisdiction over coastal Northern California. 

For interviews, please call (415) 901-0111 x341 or x337.

Return to the top