Additional Media Coverage of LGBT Votes at General Assembly

Presbyterians: Gay Clergy Yes, Gay Marriage No, The Advocate

Delegates at the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted Thursday in Minneapolis to advance a proposal to allow gay clergy, but they decided against allowing same-sex marriages by a close margin. The gay clergy proposal now must be approved by a majority of the church’s 173 presbyteries, which rejected a similar measure two years ago.

Presbyterian decision reflects deep divisions, Minneapolis Star Tribune

For the Rev. Ray Bagnuolo, the Presbyterian Church's decision to table a landmark proposal permitting same-sex marriage was a slap on the face.

For the Rev. Clark Cowden, it was a measured response to a potentially divisive issue.

The U.S. Presbyterian Church's vote to sidestep the potentially explosive issue of same-sex marriage at its convention in Minneapolis this week reflected deep divisions within the church and the need to drum up broad grass-roots consensus, observers say.

Presbyterians continue to be divided over gays as leaders split on 2 gay-friendly measures, Washington Examiner

A split decision from Presbyterian leaders on two gay-friendly measures guarantees even more debate among the U.S. church's members on an issue they've been divided over for years.

Delegates to the Presbyterian church's convention in Minneapolis voted Thursday for a more liberal policy on gay clergy but decided not to redefine marriage in their church constitution to include same-sex couples. Approval of both measures could have made the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) one of the most gay-friendly major Christian churches in the U.S.

Even the more liberal stance on gay clergy faces more debate before it can become church policy. A majority of the church's 173 U.S. presbyteries must approve it. Two years ago — after years of efforts by supporters — a similar measure was sent out to presbyteries but died when 94 of them voted against it.

Presbyterian leaders approve gay clergy policy, Salt Lake Tribune

 Presbyterian leaders voted Thursday to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy, approving the first of two policy changes that could make their church one of the most gay-friendly major Christian denominations in the U.S.

But the vote isn’t a final stamp of approval for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or its more than 2 million members.

Delegates voted during the church’s general assembly in Minneapolis, with 53 percent approving the more liberal policy on gay clergy. A separate vote is expected later Thursday on whether to change the church’s definition of marriage from between “a man and a woman” to between “two people.”