Richard King
Puritan Board Senior
Posted on Sat, Nov. 19, 2005
Ordination defies ban
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - A Presbyterian church has ordained a gay man who refuses to commit to remaining celibate despite the denomination's ban on sexually active homosexual ministers.
A complaint over the action is likely to be filed with a regional panel in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is among several Protestant denominations embroiled in a bitter debate over what role gays should have in their churches.
Raymond Bagnuolo of White Plains was ordained Sunday at South Presbyterian Church and is serving as pastor of Palisades Presbyterian Church. During the ceremony, when asked whether he would abide by the church's constitution, Bagnuolo said yes, except for a measure that says ministers must practice fidelity if married and chastity if single.
The prohibition has split the denomination, with some churches moving ahead with ordaining gays and other, more traditional churches demanding those congregations be disciplined. The policy will be a focus of a national Presbyterian assembly in June.
The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, a spokesman for the national church, said the ordination, "raises the heat." he said. "This will just heighten the intensity of the debate."
Ordination defies ban
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - A Presbyterian church has ordained a gay man who refuses to commit to remaining celibate despite the denomination's ban on sexually active homosexual ministers.
A complaint over the action is likely to be filed with a regional panel in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is among several Protestant denominations embroiled in a bitter debate over what role gays should have in their churches.
Raymond Bagnuolo of White Plains was ordained Sunday at South Presbyterian Church and is serving as pastor of Palisades Presbyterian Church. During the ceremony, when asked whether he would abide by the church's constitution, Bagnuolo said yes, except for a measure that says ministers must practice fidelity if married and chastity if single.
The prohibition has split the denomination, with some churches moving ahead with ordaining gays and other, more traditional churches demanding those congregations be disciplined. The policy will be a focus of a national Presbyterian assembly in June.
The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, a spokesman for the national church, said the ordination, "raises the heat." he said. "This will just heighten the intensity of the debate."