As the Presbyterian Church (USA) changes, making it possible for gay and lesbian people to be ordained, some may feel that the rest of the world cannot accept this new position. In October, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa wrote an open letter to the PCUSA affirming its decision. He suggested that the PCUSA had accomplished an act of justice through its decision to accept gay and lesbian people. In the letter, he said: “Salvation means being called out of our narrow bonds into a broad place of welcome to all.”
Tutu pointed out that in many places around the world Christians have been complicit while lesbians and gays have been legally persecuted. And, he said, “By making it possible for those in same-gender relationships to be ordained as pastors, preachers, elders, and deacons, you are being a witness to your ecumenical partners that you believe in the wideness of God’s merciful love.
Acceptance and solidarity toward those who have been unjustly excluded is at the core of what it means to be of faith. I’m grateful that the PCUSA has begun to take a stand and thankful for Desmond Tutu’s kind words.
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