The New York Times reported that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has now approved the ordination of openly gay people in active, same-sex relationships, which will change the denomination’s constitution. Nineteen of the denomination’s 173 presbyteries changed their votes on the issue from no to yes in recent months, a reversal from two years ago when the majority of presbyteries voted against the ordination of gay candidates. Church official Cynthia Bolbach said the change was “reflective of the fact that we are moving forward one other step,” but clerk Rev. Gradye Parsons said the decision was “surprising” since he didn’t expect the legislative body to change their mind. “We’ve been having this conversation for 33 years, and some people are ready to get to the other side of this decision,” he said. “I just hope that going forward we can stay together and be faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The article said the Presbyterian Church (USA) has about two million members and is a separate denomination from the Presbyterian Church in America, which is smaller and more conservative and continues to prohibit the ordination of gays and women.
