Tensions Rise as Presbyterian Church Ordains Gay Minister
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005
Posted: 4:42:07PM EST

A Presbyterian congregation on Sunday ordained an open and practicing gay man despite a denominational ban on sexually active homosexual ministers.

Raymond Bagnuolo, who has repeatedly and publicly stated that he is a practicing homosexual and that he is not willing to submit to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s standards on sexuality, was ordained at the South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

According to the Associated Press, Bagnuolo said during his ordination ceremony that he believed in one God and the Creator and accepted the Scriptures, but that he is unwilling to abide by the church’s constitutional standards that call for its ordained leaders to practice fidelity in marriage or chastity if single.

"This is a happy and wonderful indication of what can happen when you don't give up and when you wait and see what God has in store for you," Bagnuolo was quoted as saying.

The ordination is likely to ignite more flames within the PC(USA) – a denomination already struggling over the divisive issue of gay clergy. Story