By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
April 27, 2009 (LIfeSiteNews.com) – The US Presbyterian Church’s (PCUSA) constitutional requirement that its ministers and elders practice “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness” has again withstood an attack by homosexualist activists who had hoped to change the sect’s fundamental principles.
Last year the General Assembly of the 2.3-million-member denomination considered an amendment to drop the requirement of “fidelity and chastity” and allow practicing homosexuals to assume leadership positions within the organization. The proposal would have had to be approved by a majority of the 173 local presbyteries.
As of April 27, however, 89 presbyteries have voted against the amendment, with 69 in favor. The Presbyterian Lay Committee, which promotes the biblical standards of traditional marriage and chastity, says that it expects that most of the remaining presbyteries will vote against the amendment.
The proposal to amend the Presbyterian Church’s constitution has been defeated in official presbyterial voting four times in the past twelve years.
“All traditional Christians can take encouragement that the Presbyterians have held the line on sexual morality,” said Alan Wisdom, Director of Presbyterian Action and Vice President for Research and Programs of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, in a press release.
“They have stood against the cultural pressure to legitimize any relationship between ‘people who love one another.’ They have maintained the Church’s historic teaching: that God’s provision for human sexuality is found in marriage-the ‘one flesh,’ lifelong, life-giving union of the two created sexes.”
Commenting on the relentless attack of homosexualists on the Presbyterian Church’s stand on moral orthodoxy, Wisdom stated, “This is fourth time in 12 years that PCUSA presbyteries have voted on sexuality standards. Each time they have upheld ‘fidelity and chastity.’ If ever there were a case when the church had made up its mind on an issue, this is it. Faithful Presbyterians ask the proponents of non-marital relationships to stop forcing this divisive issue and instead endeavor to live within the church’s constitution.”