Presbyterian court clears minister who married gay couples

By Lisa Cornwell
The Associated Press

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The permanent judicial commission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) synod that oversees churches in Ohio and Michigan ruled 6-4 that the denomination's constitution does not prohibit ministers from marrying same-sex couples.

The ruling, released yesterday, reverses the lower church court's conviction of the Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken for marrying same-sex couples.

The constitution of the 2.5 million-member denomination defines marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. But the commission ruled that "it avoids an outright prohibition by using the words 'should' and 'should not' in guidance for church bodies and ministers."

Van Kuiken, a married heterosexual, was removed as pastor of the Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. He was the first Presbyterian minister to be tried on accusations of marrying homosexuals.

"I am very grateful for the courage the commission has shown in reaching this landmark decision," Van Kuiken said yesterday.

Van Kuiken said he has nonetheless decided to resign from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and become pastor of a nondenominational congregation made up of former members of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church who left the church after his ouster.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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