A Presbyterian minister has been charged by the Pittsburgh Presbytery for violating Scripture and the constitution of the Presbyterian Church for performing the marriage of a lesbian couple in 2005.
Rev. Janet Edwards, who serves at the multidenominational Community of Reconciliation in Oakland, has been a minister with the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. The prosecution is arguing that Edwards willingly and knowingly violated the church's constitution by marrying two women. Edwards has pled not guilty and maintains that it was within her rights as a Presbyterian minister to perform the services.
"Scripture has taught me that the heart of a marriage is the love and commitment between partners, and experience, through time, has shown me that couples of two men or two women fully reveal, have the qualities that we all recognize as marriage," said Edward.
Edwards' defense attorney Stephen Paschall said there is no binding church prohibition against same-sex ceremonies. "Never before have we seen such a concerted effort to prosecute a minister for a loving act, faithfully performed and permitted by the constitution of the Presbyterian Church," said Paschall.
The prosecution countered Paschall's claim, stating that under church laws clergy members are permitted to bless gay relationships, but that it should not resemble a marriage ceremony.
Hundreds of people traveled from across the country to gather at the Grand Hall of Priory on the North Side of Pittsburgh where the church trial was being held. If Edwards is convicted, she could be stripped of her ministry title.
Edwards acknowledged that many of her colleagues disagree with her interpretation of scripture, but hopes that her case will help the Presbyterian Church become more accepting of gay and lesbian believers and their lifestyle.
"Much of my ministry has been to serve reconciliation with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered believers who have been hurt and shunned by the church," said Edwards. "I hope the dialog sparked by this trial will help us all reconcile ourselves to the fine future of marriage which God already has in store for us."
On the opposing side, the prosecution stated that the purpose of the trial was not to "lay theological guidelines for a new church marriage for the 21st century," but rather to determine if Edwards violated the church's constitution.
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