March 28, 2002, San Francisco, CA

Press Statement from The National Board of Directors, More Light Presbyterians

Press/Media Contacts:

Bill Moss, Co-Moderator, (415)786-8375
Mitzi Henderson, Co-Moderator (650)854-2598
Michael Adee, National Field Organizer, (505)820-7082
Katie Morrison, National Field Organizer, (617)547-6774

Eight more judicial complaints exclusively related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians, our families and churches have been made known during Holy Week. The National Boad of More Light Presbyterians laments such actions and the anti-gay attitudes that sanction them.

Adding to the rapidly rising number, now more than a dozen judicial cases have been filed against faithful Presbyterians and faithful Presbyterian churches. The charges include heresy and challenge the participation of elders and clergy in ordinations and holy unions. Complaints also include churches offering welcome and affirmation to LGBT people and their families as well as churches that make statements of conscience and dissent.

"Using G-6.0106B on ordination as a platform for such divisive and personal attack, including charges of heresy upon faithful Presbyterians, and even apostasy to the 214th General Assembly, reveals the hypocrisy of this church law. It also reveals the prejudicial application of this law since its placement in the Book of Order in 1997. This is why we are committed to removing it," according to Bill Moss, Co-Moderator, and Elder, Old First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, CA.

These complaints can only be understood as spiteful and hurtful actions that cause division in the Church rather than to support understanding, reconciliation and healing. We are convinced that education is what is needed in our Church, not litigation.

Mitzi Henderson, Co-Moderator, and Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto, CA, says, "These complaints are not the kind of character or spirit that most Presbyterians would support. We honor what is essential to faith and the values of liberty of conscience and mutual forebearance. It is clear that God has more to teach us about faith, sexuality, healthy relationships and being the Church."

Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer and gay elder, First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, NM offers, "I find it profoundly revealing that no one in the conservative ranks of our Church seems to care about the over one-hundred churches that have no women elders on their Sessions and therefore violate the Book of Order's requirement for representation. Or the fact that a growing number of women clergy leave our denomination because of its sexism and the fact that they do not receive calls to serve."

Adee continues, "Moreover, what is the response to churches that resort to financial extortion by refusing to pay their per capita? Instead, the conservative leadership call for 'war on the Presbyterian Church' and encourage these judicial attacks upon faithful LGBT Presbyterians and our supporters, filed even during Holy Week."

On this Maundy Thursday, a day of reflection upon the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and the betrayal from his own followers, we pray for our Church. We pray for our Church to seek and be open to God's Spirit leading us to new understandings and ways to be the Church.