06196
March 31, 2006

Redwoods Presbytery files appeal
of Spahr’s same-sex-marriage acquittal

Case goes next to the PJC
of the Synod of the Pacific

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — Redwoods Presbytery has announced that it will appeal the March 2 acquittal by its Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr on charges that she violated the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s ban on performing same-sex marriage ceremonies.

        Redwoods’ stated clerk, the Rev. Robert Conover, said notification of the appeal has been sent “to all the parties.”

        The Redwoods PJC acquitted Spahr by a 6-1 vote, ruling that the PC(USA) constitution says that same-sex marriage ceremonies are “improper” but not “forbidden.”

        The General Assembly PJC has ruled that same-sex union ceremonies are not prohibited as long as they are not purported to be or confused with marriage ceremonies.

        Spahr, an openly lesbian minister who directs “That All May Freely Serve,” an organization that advocates for full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the PC(USA), including as ordained officers, told the Redwoods court that she has conducted hundreds of marriages, a few of which have been same-sex ceremonies, since she was ordained in 1974. The PC(USA) did not prohibit the ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians until 1978.

        Sara Taylor, one of Spahr’s two defense attorneys, told the Bay Area Reporter  that she welcomes the appeal. “I think that the presbytery is appealing it in good faith,” she said. “They know it’s an issue that the entire church is facing, and they want it to be resolved at the highest court.”