Presbyterians To Consider Gay Marriage Initiative

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Gay marriage will be on the agenda as the Presbyterian Church USA begins its biennial meeting this weekend in California, where same-sex weddings became legal this week.

Delegates to the General Assembly will be asked to rewrite the church's Book of Order to allow Presbyterian ministers to conduct wedding services for gay couples. The church constitution currently defines marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman.

The Reverend Parker Williamson, a leader of conservative Presbyterians, says gay rights get more support from the denomination's leaders than from people in the pews.

In April, the denomination's highest court found that a lesbian minister who officiated at weddings for two lesbian couples was guilty of misconduct, but gave her the lightest possible punishment.

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