Larges said she knows of 35 to 50 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered candidates for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — some who are open about their sexual orientation, some who are not. The process of allowing candidates for ministry to attempt to declare objections based on conscience is an effort “to try to carve out some middle ground” for those who disagree on the current ordination standards, Larges said.
But she said her case shows the result has been to add “layers of complication” to the ordination process, so until the denomination changes its constitution to allow the ordination of gays and lesbians “we’re going to continue to tie ourselves up in knots. It’s simply not fair.”
Mary Naegeli, a minister from Walnut Creek, Calif., and one of those who brought the complaint against the presbytery, and who testified at the synod judicial commission’s hearing in this case, said on March 25 that she wanted more time to consider the ruling before making any public comment.
