Page "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)" Paragraph 116

The General Assembly of 2008 took several actions related to homosexuality.

The first action was to adopt a different translation of the Heidelberg Catechism from 1962, removing the words " homosexual perversions " among other changes.

This will require the approval of the 2010 and 2012 General Assemblies as well as the votes of the presbyteries after the 2010 Assembly.

The second action was to approve a new Authoritative Interpretation of G-6. 0108 of the Book of Order allowing for the ordaining body to make decisions on whether or not a departure from the standards of belief of practice is sufficient to preclude ordination.

Some argue that this creates " local option " on ordaining homosexual persons.

The third action was to replace the text of " Amendment B " with new text: " Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation ( W-4. 4003 ), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions.

In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church.

Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and / or installation ( G-14. 0240 and G-14. 0450 ) establishes the candidate's sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.

" This would have removed the " fidelity and chastity " clause.

This third action failed to obtain the required approval of a majority of the presbyteries by June, 2009.

Fourth, a resolution was adopted to affirm the definition of marriage from Scripture and the Confessions as being between a man and a woman.