“Orthodox Presbyterians should see this as a collapse of the disciplinary process within the PCUSA. It is already nigh on impossible to successfully bring charges for heresy, that is, departure from Biblical and Confessional theological standards.”

The highest judicial commission of Presbyterian Church (USA) has cleared a clergywoman of charges that she violated church law when she opted to marry her partner in 2009.

Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly of PC(USA) made its decision regarding an appeal against the Rev. Laurie McNeill in Louisville, Ky. on Sunday.

“The facts of this case do not support disciplinary action under…the Book of Order. Nothing in this decision modifies standards and norms of the church’s understanding of marriage,” reads the decision in part.

“This case illustrates the tortuous place in which the PC(U.S.A.) finds itself on the matter of same-gender marriage.”

The PJC of GA upheld the December 2011 decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Northeast.

Whitman Brisky Esq. of Mauck & Baker, LLC filed the appeal before the highest commission of the denomination in September. In a statement given to The Christian Post, Brisky expressed “disappointment” at the decision.

“Most disappointing was the failure of the GAPJC to apply or even discuss the Scriptural and Confessional passages that deal with homosexual conduct and so-called ‘gay marriage’,” said Brisky.

“Orthodox Presbyterians should see this as a collapse of the disciplinary process within the PCUSA. It is already nigh on impossible to successfully bring charges for heresy, that is, departure from Biblical and Confessional theological standards.”

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