Mt. Lebanon church severs ties over sexuality issues

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The board of elders of Beverly Heights United Presbyterian Church in Mt. Lebanon has voted to sever communion with 10 presbyteries across the country over issues of sexuality.

The 10 presbyteries have announced plans to call for the Presbyterian Church USA to drop some its constitutional provisions.

The presbyteries' proposals also would cast aside the authoritative interpretation regarding homosexual behavior and allow for fidelity within a covenanted relationship between two persons where a lifetime commitment is intended.

Beverly Heights is part of the Confessing Movement, which believes in a strict interpretation of the Bible.

Richard Wolling, pastor at Beverly Heights, said the church is following the lead of the Anglican church in Nigeria, which separated itself from dioceses that sanctioned the ordination of an openly gay minister.

Correction/Clarification: (Published April 30, 2004) The constitution of the Presbyterian Church USA requires that church officers be faithful in marriage or chaste when single. This story about an action by Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church, as first published in April 28 editions, incorrectly implied that the church has such a standard for all its members.

First published on April 28, 2004 at 12:00 am