The largest U.S. branch of the Presbyterian church announced Tuesday that it will accept same-sex marriage, but critics are concerned it could split the denomination.
The leadership of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to change the wording of the religious group’s constitution to accept gay marriage starting in June.
The old wording that defines marriage as “between a man and a woman” would be replaced by a phrase that defines it as a union “between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”
It follows a vote last year in which church leaders declared that clergy could perform same-sex marriage ceremonies if they wished but were not required to do so.
But the church — with an estimated 1.75 million members — faces a possible division over the ruling that could cause some followers to leave and join more conservative denominations.
“Let us pray that we can allow the Spirit to continue to create in us a common call to follow Christ while respecting each other’s convictions,” Gradye Parsons, the clerk of the church’s General Assembly, said in a statement sent to Reuters news service.
Other denominations have faced similar debates. In 2009, the Episcopal Church in the U.S. first allowed its bishops to choose whether or not to allow same-sex marriages at their churches. In 2012, the church created an official liturgy for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Although hailed by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) advocates, the move caused tension with the church and some of its members — as well as with churches in more conservative areas worldwide. Relations were especially strained between the church and Episcopal branches in Africa, where homosexuality is still illegal in many nations.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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