"Now we belong to a denomination that gives no clear counsel on sexuality." -- Alan Wisdom, IRD Vice President and Presbyterian Action Director

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Late yesterday, the 87th presbytery in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to delete the denomination's standard for sexual conduct of its ordained officers. With a majority of local presbyteries now ratifying Amendment 10-A to the PCUSA Book of Order, the previous requirement for "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness" will disappear in July. It will be replaced by a vague statement that gives no specific guidance for sexual behavior.

The PCUSA Book of Confessions still affirms traditional Christian teaching reserving sexual relations for the marriage of man and woman. However, the ambiguity introduced by this latest amendment will allow PCUSA bodies so wishing to ordain ministers, elders, and deacons involved in same-sex or opposite-sex relationships outside of marriage. In this departure from traditional teaching, the PCUSA follows the declining United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Many Presbyterians are concerned that the new tolerance toward homosexual relationships will quickly turn into intolerance for any who raise biblical or moral objections to those relationships.

IRD Vice President and Presbyterian Action Director Alan Wisdom commented:

"This is a lonely day for Presbyterians who believe what the Bible and the Church have consistently taught: that God's will is that we be faithful in marriage or chaste in singleness. Now we belong to a denomination that is no longer sure it believes that teaching.

"Now we belong to a denomination that gives no clear counsel on sexuality. It is a denomination that will not necessarily support its members as they struggle to obey the high standards of Scripture. It will not call them to repentance when they fall short of those standards, and it will not offer God's forgiveness for what it no longer recognizes as sexual sins. In a society where the abuse of sexuality is devastating millions of lives, this abdication by the PCUSA is tragic.

"By dropping the 'fidelity and chastity' standard, the PCUSA separates itself from the Scriptures that are supposed to be its 'rule of faith and life.' It separates itself from the historic Christian tradition and the vast majority of the global Church. It separates itself from many of its own members who remain committed to upholding 'fidelity and chastity.'

"But those faithful Presbyterians are not truly alone. They remain united to the Church Universal and its Lord, and they remain in fellowship with one another. The IRD and its Presbyterian Action committee are committed to walking with them as they seek faithful ways forward."