Media contact:
Donna Riley, Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians: (413) 584-7935 or (413) 585-7003

The Board of More Light Presbyterians applauds the decision by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Covenant removing the conviction and rebuke of The Reverend A. Stephen Van Kuiken for performing same-sex marriage ceremonies. The Synod's decision notes that the Book of Order, reflecting the mind of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., does not explicitly prohibit ministers from performing such ceremonies. The decision correctly interprets our constitution's openness to alternative views and actions. As our society moves toward a greater understanding of what it means for two people to love one another, it is important to resist inflexible positions and ungraceful postures toward one another. The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Covenant has set a Christ-like example for all of us.

Our denomination has much work to do in learning to honor the sanctity of life-long relationships based on love and mutuality rather than shaky definitions of gender status and procreative ability. We support the efforts of our brothers and sisters in Christ who seek, in the light of the Gospel, to shine more light onto the diversity of loving relationships which are all part of God's good creation.

More Light Presbyterians is confident that both our denomination and civil society will come to recognize the equal value of committed, mutually loving adult relationships regardless of sex or gender; that society will honor these relationships with all of the legal rights and responsibilities that come with civil marriage; and that the full PCUSA will honor these relationships by granting them the spiritual grounding and commitment that comes with a religious marriage ceremony. In so doing, our society and our church will grow to support all of our families and continue to build the community of faith.