The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is considering a recommendation to extend spousal and dependent benefits to same-gender domestic partners.

The board is hoping to bring proposals next year and begin implementing changes to the denomination’s Benefits Plan in 2012.

Thomas C. Paisley, Jr., chair of the Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions, said they are committed to “responding affirmatively to the action of the General Assembly, with a focus on doing what is in the best interests of our members and being attentive to the concerns of our participating employing organizations,” as reported by the Presbyterian News Service.

Earlier this month, PCUSA’s highest legislative body voted to urge the Board of Pensions to modify its policies in providing same-gender spouses and domestic partners of church personnel the same benefits that married members receive.
The resolution wasn’t passed without debate.

Some argued that the denomination has advocated for civil and legal rights for homosexual persons for decades and called out the PCUSA for its inconsistency.

“Since 1977, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations have called for protection against social and economic discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation. It is hypocritical for the church to exempt itself and its adherents from the principles of equal protection that we are urging government agencies and businesses to adopt,” the Presbytery of New Castle stated in its proposed resolution.

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