Presbytery rejects gay clergy proposal

Pittsburgh Presbytery voted, 206-105, yesterday against a proposed amendment to the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that would have eliminated a requirement for clergy and church officers to practice chastity in singleness and fidelity in heterosexual marriage.

The vote took place at a special meeting in Northmont United Presbyterian Church, McCandless. To take effect, the proposed amendment -- which would open the door to partnered gay clergy -- must be approved by at least 87 of 173 presbyteries in the 2.3 million-member denomination.

The denomination's news service reported last week that the tally stood 42-69 against the proposed amendment. An unofficial tally on the Web site of the conservative Presbyterian Coalition had the count at 43-72 against the measure Friday.

Prior to the debate yesterday, the Rev. Doug Portz, acting pastor to Pittsburgh Presbytery, called Presbyterians to focus on Jesus rather than on their differences, and to spend the next 30 days in intensive prayer for their church, their city and for the world.

A presbytery committee had reviewed more than two dozen amendments and statements proposed by last summer's General Assembly. It stayed neutral on the "chastity and fidelity" amendment but recommended passage of all others.

However, a proposed agreement between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Episcopal Church to recognize each other's sacraments and allow case-by-case acceptance of each other's clergy stirred debate.

Several people were concerned or confused about how it would apply locally, where there are two bodies called the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The larger of the two is aligned with an Anglican province in South America rather than with the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal agreement passed 140-135.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09074/955801-85.stm