PITTSBURGH, July 7, 2012 — Commissioners to the General Assembly voted today not to change the definition of marriage from “between a man and a woman” to “between two people.” Had it been adopted and subsequently ratified by a majority of the presbyteries through the next year, the resulting constitutional change would have sanctioned the performance of same-gender marriages throughout the denomination. The motion to make the change was defeated by 308 to 338.
Still to be considered is whether the Assembly will adopt a proposal to issue an Authoritative Interpretation of the constitution that would allow same-gender marriages in states where they are legal. That matter will be considered this evening.
The proposed amendment had been adopted in the Civil Union and Marriage Issues committee on Tuesday, whereas the committee, whereas the Authoritative Interpretation proposal was defeated. Nevertheless, the assembly can reintroduce that proposal and adopt it if the commissioners so choose.
IN-DEPTH REPORT TO FOLLOW…
