Questions and Answers on Amendment O
By Sue Cyre, Editor of Theology Matters, Posted Friday, January 26, 2001
1. Why Amendment O now?
Amendment OScripture and our Confessions teach that God’s intention for all people is to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church officers shall not take part in conducting, any ceremony or event that pronounces blessing or gives approval of the church or invokes the blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God’s intention as expressed in the preceding sentence.” In the material sent to the presbyteries this amendment is identified as “Amendment ‘O’.” Last year, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (the court of final appeal in the PCUSA) ruled in the Hudson River Case that Presbyterian pastors may perform same-sex unions in Presbyterian churches provided they are distinct from marriages. Thus, the commission created ambiguity, confusion and conflict between what the Presbyterian Church professes to believe and what it permits its officers to practice. Amendment O is the 2000 General Assembly’s proposal to remedy that conflict.
2. Is it possible to draw a distinction between same-sex unions and marriage?
Those who advocate for and perform same-sex unions do not make a distinction. For example, Janie Spahr, Presbyterian lesbian activist, has said publicly regarding same-sex unions, “…these are marriages, and these are weddings, and let’s call them what they are!”
A rite performed in a church by a minister in front of two people, with vows, blessings and witnesses, is a counterfeit marriage. A counterfeit rite falsifies and dishonors marriage between a man and a woman that was ordained and instituted by God. Marriage is the union blessed by God. The Presbyterian Church always has declared that if any people are joined together other than as God’s Word allows, their union is not blessed by God.
3. Does the prohibition against same-sex unions limit the ability of pastors and sessions to provide pastoral care?
No. Korean Presbyterians eloquently spoke to the issue of pastoral care in their recent pastoral letter to the Presbyterian Church: “Pastorally, we recognize that all people are ‘in process,’ moving toward the goal of conformity to Christ’s image. It is inconsistent with this goal for the church officers to counsel folks to remain outside the will of God. It is not pastoral to bless behavior that is contrary to God’s revealed will.”
4. Some claim that Amendment O, if approved, would have widespread pastoral implications, including the prohibition of the baptism of a child adopted by a same-sex couple, the banning of the presence of an elder at a beloved child’s union service and the inability to conduct a funeral for a partner in an unmarried relationship. Would Amendment O, if approved, have these kinds of pastoral care implications?
No. Amendment O is clear: the only action that is prohibited is the conducting of “any ceremony or event that pronounces blessing or gives approval of the church or invokes the blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God’s intention.” Baptism does not bless a relationship between adults. Prayers said for parents at a baptism are not a blessing of the behavior of the parents. Funerals do not bless relationships. They celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the presence of an officer at a service conducted by others simply is not within the scope of the amendment at all. The amendment does not prohibit mere participation but, rather, the conducting of such ceremonies.
5. Does Amendment O unduly restrict pastoral freedom?
No. Pastors never have been free to bless what Scripture, as interpreted by our constitutional standards, prohibits. The Directory for Worship contains more than 57 explicitly mandated directives and prohibitions to pastors in the conduct of worship. These mandates include: what pastors and sessions must provide for in worship (W-3.3201); statements to be made at baptism (W-3.3602-3); the precise creed to be used in the profession of faith by the congregation at baptism (W-3.3603); the words of Scripture to be used at communion (W-3.3614-5); the content of services at special gatherings (W-3.62-3); the elements of a marriage service (W-4.9004); and the elements of a funeral service (W-4.1003-4). These and fifty other items are removed from the discretion of ministers, sessions and congregations.
6. Does Amendment O unduly restrict the session’s use of the church property?
No. The constitution already provides that the session may not sell, mortgage, lease or encumber property without the approval of the presbytery. Amendment O entirely is in accord with the property principles that already apply in our constitution.
7. What is the response of our Korean brothers and sisters regarding same-sex unions?
The Executive Committee of the National Korean Presbyterian Council wrote in a letter to every PCUSA congregation, “Presbyterian brothers and sisters in Christ, out of deep concern and heart-aching love for this denomination, thirty seven thousand Korean-American Presbyterians are pleading to you to support the proposed amendment …”
8. Has there been a similar reaction from ecumenical partners around the world?
Yes. Ricardo Santana, president of Mexico’s San Pablo Seminary, said, “If you support same-sex marriage, we will have to break relations with you.” According to The Presbyterian Layman, “Santana’s sentiments were widely shared by more than 60 church leaders from Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia who came to the campus of Reformed Theological Seminary in November 2000 to organize the World Reformed Fellowship.”
9. What is the effect if a presbytery tables the amendment or abstains from voting?
An abstention or tabling of the motion is counted the same as a “no” vote. A majority of the presbyteries must vote “yes” for the amendment to be added to the Book of Order. If the amendment is not approved, the Permanent Judicial Ruling ruling in the Hudson River case will guide the church.