Gay Clergy Vote Winding Down

With 88 percent of geographic regions reporting, the Presbyterian Church USA appears to be on the verge of rejecting an amendment that would allow gay and lesbian people to be ordained as ministers in the church.

The measure to allow gay and lesbian clergy, known as “Amendment B,” would require approval of a simple majority of the church’s 173 presbyteries, which amounts to 87. The website dedicated to tracking the vote shows that out of 152 presbyteries that have voted so far, 84 opposed the amendment, and 64 supported it.

Only three more presbyteries need to reject the amendment in order for it to fail.

On Tuesday, the National Capital Presbytery representing members in the Washington, D.C. area approved the amendment to allow gay and lesbian clergy, as did Salem Presbytery in central North Carolina, and Wabash Valley in Indiana.

Among the regions yet to vote are more liberal presbyteries, such as the Presbytery of the Pacific, including much of Los Angeles, which votes on May 12.