The Advisory Committee on the Constitution's answer to Request 03-08 clarifies that declaring certain behaviors in violation of ordination vows cannot be affirmed under the current Constitution. The Assembly adopted the ACC's answer to Request 03-08 as amended by the Church Orders and Ministry Committee.

In response to ACC Request 03-10, on guidelines concerning leaves of absence in matters of sexual abuse by ministers, the Assembly adopted the Church Orders and Ministry Committee's statement and direction to the Stated Clerk. The Stated Clerk is called to urge presbyteries to take immediate action regarding supervision of the accused, conduct an immediate investigation with opportunity for the accused to be heard, and determine whether a leave of absence or other restriction is necessary.

Prostitution
The Assembly voted to adopt Item 11-01, a report of the research team on prostitution around military bases, as amended by the Global Issues Committee. The amendments include directing letters of concern not only to the U.S. Army commander, but also the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps commanders in Korea. The Committee expanded concern from the Republic of Korea to include other military host countries that participate in sex trafficking.

Abortion
Three overtures dealt with abortion issues this year. The Assembly disapproved Overture 03-04, requesting denial of Board of Pensions coverage for any procedure of grave moral concern, in concurrence with the Health Issues Committee recommendation and ACWC advice and counsel. Overture 03-21, requesting the removal of incest and rape from the circumstances allowed for late term abortion, was also defeated on the floor in concurrence with the Committee, ACWC and ACSWP recommendations.

The most significant action occurred with the Assembly's adoption of an amended Committee response to Overture 03-18, dealing with offering moral counsel to protect mothers and their babies late in pregnancy. While certain members of the Committee defended the original overture in a minority report, the majority of the Committee compromised upon a statement which replaces the standing policy on post-viability and late-term abortion. The new statement retains most of the original language yet emphasizes the importance of children and the consideration of procedures that will allow both mother and child the opportunity to live. Certain women's advocates raised concern about changing the wording of "woman" and "fetus" to "mother" and "baby" respectively. Regardless, the Assembly adopted the new wording after adding a sentence affirming the preexisting statement of the 214th General Assembly.

Women in Ministry
The Assembly voted to approve the ACWC report entitled "Clergywomen's Experiences in Ministry: Realities and Challenges," which includes statistical analysis of clergywomen's experiences as well as personal stories from the women surveyed.

The Assembly also approved Commissioner's Resolution 03-27, on celebrating the ministry of women, which advocates endorsement of the upcoming anniversaries of women ordained as elders and as ministers of the Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA). Additionally, the resolution recommends promotion of regional gatherings and making educational materials available on women's ordination.