The May 1 vote ‘signifies a profound shift toward acknowledging the inherent worth and spiritual calling of all individuals’
by the LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Photo by Igor Omilaev via Unsplash
LOUISVILLE — Following this month’s action by United Methodist Church delegates to repeal their church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee, known as ACQ+E, issued this statement:
“The LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee joins our United Methodist Church siblings in celebrating their historic votes to remove prohibitions for ordaining LGBTQIA+ clergy. We’re also excited to see the UMC removal of teachings against homosexuality and their recognition of marriage as ‘between two people of faith.
“Removing prohibitions against ordaining LGBTQIA+ clergy and taking the courageous step of revising official teachings regarding homosexuality signifies a profound shift toward acknowledging the inherent worth and spiritual calling of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. This, combined with recognizing marriage as a sacred bond between two people of faith without regard to gender, reflects powerful steps in the UMC journey of moving toward an active practice of faith that sees all people as equal in the eyes of God.
“Both the PC(USA) and this committee share a strong commitment to promoting full inclusion within our church. This path is neither easy nor short. As we move forward into new territory, we acknowledge the dedication, sacrifice and courage of those who have guided us thus far. We also understand that our denomination has experienced and will continue to bear the equality struggles and burdens of our UMC siblings. However, even in the face of uncertainty, we hold steadfast to our belief that human equality goes beyond the confines of patriarchal history and cultural restrictions of love. Divine Love creates us as equals in every respect and Divine Love will continue to overcome the shackles of discrimination and prejudice that prevent such love from being expressed in pulpits, between spouses and in the world at large.
“We are united with our United Methodist friends in this most recent, hard-earned victory and look forward to walking with them on the path of full acceptance and inclusion within God’s universal church.”
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