PC(USA)—A General Assembly amendment that would allow presbyteries to ordain openly gay or lesbian clergy in the Presbyterian Church (USA) was defeated in late April.
Eighty-eight presbyteries had voted against the amendment—just over half of the total 173 presbyteries—with only 69 in support, by late April.
If ratified, it would have removed a constitutional requirement for potential elders, deacons and ministers to practice “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”
Previous efforts to remove the provision failed by a vote of 57 to 114 after the 1997 assembly and 46 to 127 after the 2001 assembly. Although final numbers will not be available until all votes have been tallied on June 28, the margin is expected to be much closer than in previous years.
