Presbyterian church to vote on gay ministers

[GreenPartyVoter]

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- A proposal that would partly lift the Presbyterian church's ban on gay and lesbian ministers has gained support from a legislative committee, and awaits a vote by the church's national legislative assembly.

The measure, approved by the committee Tuesday, will go before the larger body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) later this week.

If passed, it would allow individual churches to dismiss a 1978 interpretation of church law that prohibits homosexuals from being ordained as ministers, elders or deacons.

Gays and lesbians in relationships could still be barred from ordination under a separate church law passed in 1997, but liberals said removal of the 1978 restriction would be a major step toward full inclusion for gays in the church.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/06/30/presbyterians.gays.ap/index.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

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