Presbytery rejects gay clergy proposal

Local leaders keep chastity, fidelity requirement
Sunday, March 15, 2009
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Presbytery voted, 206-105, yesterday against a proposed amendment to the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that would have eliminated a requirement for clergy and church officers to practice chastity in singleness and fidelity in heterosexual marriage.
The vote took place at a special meeting in Northmont United Presbyterian Church, McCandless. To take effect, the proposed amendment -- which would open the door to partnered gay clergy -- must be approved by at least 87 of 173 presbyteries in the 2.3 million-member denomination...

... However, a proposed agreement between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Episcopal Church to recognize each other's sacraments and allow case-by-case acceptance of each other's clergy stirred debate.

Several people were concerned or confused about how it would apply locally, where there are two bodies called the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The larger of the two is aligned with an Anglican province in South America rather than with the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal agreement passed 140-135.the rest