Gay former minister’s request to restore PCUSA ordination to be addressed this weekend
The Layman Online, January 24, 2008
A meeting this weekend will determine whether a gay former minister can be restored as a minister member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area by declaring a scruple to the “fidelity-chastity” ordination standard in the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s constitution.
The special stated meeting about Paul Capetz is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minn.
In April 2000, Capetz requested that the presbytery release him from the exercise of the ordained ministry because of clause G-6.0106b in the denomination’s Book of Order, which requires those called to office in the PCUSA to “lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in confo Paul Capetz rmity to the historic confessional standards of the church,” including living “either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness.”
But in June 2006, the 217th General Assembly approved the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity’s report – including an authoritative interpretation that allows individual church sessions and presbyteries to declare whether G-6.0106b is essential. The authoritative interpretation focuses on the “conscience” clause (G-6.0108) and states that the judgment of ordaining bodies cannot be bound by any rule they deem nonessential.
In August 2007, Capetz cited the PUP report in making a request for reinstatement to the presbytery’s committee on ministry. He said he was “grateful for this new authoritative interpretation of section G-6.0108 in our Book of Order that makes it possible for me to request reinstatement as a minister with a good conscience and for this presbytery to have the authority to determine my fitness for holding this office once again.”
The COM voted 11-3 last year to concur with Capetz’s request. A Dec. 1 special meeting to consider the issue was postponed after a November vote by presbytery commissioners directed the COM to provide the presbytery with “a clear statement of what the departure from the constitution is and what was the rationale of the committee on ministry to recommend his reinstatement.”
According to attachment B of the presbytery packet, the COM met Dec. 1 to develop a “theological rationale for deciding whether Capetz’s departure from G-6.0106b constitutes a failure to adhere to an essential of Reformed faith and polity.” The majority of the committee decided that Capetz’s departure did not constitute a failure to adhere to an essential of Reformed faith.
However, the minority on the committee believed Capetz’s request was a departure from an essential of Reformed faith and polity. A minority report from committee members on the issue, which also is to be considered at the Jan. 26 meeting, requests that the presbytery:
- 1. “Find that portions of the Book of Order using the word ‘shall’ must be seen as ‘essential’ to the expression of the Christian Faith embodied by the Presbyterian Church (USA).
- 2. “In so finding, return a negative response to Dr. Paul Capetz’s request for restoration.”