Metherell wants the Assembly to discuss what should be done about sessions or presbyteries which seem willing to ordain gays and lesbians who are not chaste, in violation of the denomination’s ordination standards.
On Saturday, – near the close of General Assembly Council meeting here – Gradye Parsons of the denomination’s Office of the General Assembly told the council that Abu-Akel is in the process of verifying the signatures. And, he added that Metherell himself has indicated to Abu-Akel that at least one name should not be included on the list.
Out of 554 commissioners to last summer’s Assembly, Metherell needed to gather signatures from 25 elders and 25 ministers representing at least 15 presbyteries from at least five synods. Metherell had presented the names of 26 ministers and 31 elders, representing 46 presbyteries and all 16 synods.
Abu-Akel has written at letter to those who signed the petition, urging them to reconsider “in the name of Christ and for the good of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” That has been criticized by some, including Metherell, who have argued that under the rules, Abu-Akel is obligated to call the Assembly back and that he exceeds his authority if he tries to convince people to change their minds. And some contend that once a person has signed, the signature can’t be withdrawn – once a person has signed a petition, the argument goes, the person can’t “unsign.”
But given Metherell’s indication that at least one of the names shouldn’t be counted, “it’s more important than ever that we complete the verification process,” said Parsons.
