Vote against changing
ordination rule is now 8-0
The Layman, November 20, 2008
The proposed constitutional amendment that would no longer prohibit the ordination of people who are sexually active outside of marriage continued in two more presbyteries that voted previously against changing or repealing G-6.016b.
The presbyteries of San Diego and Upper Ohio Valley voted on Nov. 18, running the tally to 8-0 out of 173 presbyteries that will vote in the Presbyterian Church (USA) national referendum.
In San Diego, 74 of the 91 commissioners (81.3 percent) voted against removal of the “fidelity/chastity” clause in the constitution. The vote in the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery was 72-12 (85.7 percent) against the amendment.
In both cases, higher percentages of commissioners voted against the proposed amendment than in 2001, the last previous referendum. San Diego’s 2001 vote was 73.4 percent against the proposal. Upper Ohio Valley’s vote in 2001 was 81.6 percent in opposition.
In 2001, more than 73 percent of the presbyteries voted not to repeal G-6.0106b.