The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). has announced a change to its constitution that allows for a more inclusive definition of marriage.
According to More Light Presbyterians the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) now includes all loving and committed couples. Amendment 14F was ratified by 51% of their Presbyteries. Marriage is now between “two people.”
The Huffington Post reported that about 71 percent of PC (USA) leaders approved of the change during a general assembly meeting last June. The church had been waiting for a majority of its 171 Presbyteries, or regional bodies, to approve the measure one by one. On Tuesday, this majority was reached, with 86 Presbyteries handing in decisions to support same-sex marriage within the church.
“Today we are rejoicing!” said the Rev. Robin White, co-moderator of the LGBT advocacy group More Light Presbyterians. “So many families headed by LGBTQ couples have been waiting for decades to enter this space created for their families within their church communities.”
More Presbyteries will continue to hand in their decisions until June, when the amendment is scheduled to go into effect.
