Presbyterians Ban Gay Ordination

                                                                                                                              Vol. X, No. 5, May 1997

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to include in church law its ban on gay ordination. The most recent official count showed 88 of the 172 presbyteries voting in favor of the ban, 60 opposed, 24 yet to record their positions. A simple majority (87) was required. The ban allows ordination only of individuals who live “either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage of a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.” Meanwhile, the United Church of Christ, appointed its first national staff minister for lesbian and gay concerns. [Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, 3 April 1997]

[Editorial Comment: The UCC is generally regarded as probably the most liberal “mainline” denomination. TCP]