Other questions she challenged the GAPJC to consider include:

• Is there theologically anything different about this marriage than any of the others?
• Is the PCUSA’s constitution silent with regard to same-gender marriage?

• Is there not room in the church’s polity for pastors to perform same-gender marriages?

Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) heard arguments in the remedial case facing the Rev. Jean Southard.

The Boston-area pastor performed a same-sex wedding for two members of her Waltham, Mass., church in 2008, and was later brought up on charges that she had violated the PCUSA’s constitution, which defines Christian marriage as being between a man and woman. The constitution also permits pastors to bless same-sex civil unions, but they cannot call the ceremony a wedding or marriage.

The case was heard by the PCUSA’s highest court on Friday at the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville with a decision expected by Tuesday. She was found not guilty when the case was heard by Boston Presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission. That decision was overturned on appeal to the Synod of the Southeast, which remanded the case back to Boston Presbytery to determine Southard’s censure. The pastor appealed the case to the GAPJC in 2010.

Southard, who was present for the trial but declined an interview request by The Layman, was represented by attorneys Sara Taylor and Scott Clark. The synod was represented by the Rev. Jean Risley.

Read More: http://www.layman.org/News.aspx?article=28046

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