![Jean-southardx390](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/jean-southardx390.jpg?id=32717857&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Presbyterian minister Jean K. Southard has been cleared of charges that she disobeyed the church's constitution by officiating at the marriage of a lesbian couple in Massachusetts in 2008.
The church's high court ruled Tuesday that "Southard did not violate the Book of Order or her ordination vows" by marrying Jennifer Irene Duhamel and Sara Jane Herwig at First Presbyterian Church in Waltham, The Christian Post reports. It overturned a ruling by a lower court.
The high court -- the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly -- noted that a California minister, the Reverend Jane Adams Spahr, was found guilty last year by the Redwood Presbytery Judicial Commission of disobeying church law and violating her ordination vows by performing same-sex marriages, but said that ruling could not be used as precedent in Southard's case because it happened after the ceremony that led to the complaint against her. Southard "did not commit an offense because the applicable authoritative interpretation (Spahr) had not yet been promulgated," the high court ruled.
Spahr has appealed that ruling, and the cases involving her and Southard have led to calls for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to clarify its policy on same-sex weddings. Southard, acknowledging that the church is divided on the issue, issued a statement saying, "I didn't set out to bring about change in the church. My only intent was to do what is faithful to the call of Jesus to love all our neighbors without exception."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Here are the 25 transgender Americans lost to violence so far this year
September 04 2024 3:35 PM
Ben Platt marries Noah Galvin in New York celebration
September 04 2024 3:15 PM
53 years ago, Jack Baker and Michael McConnell became the first same-sex couple to wed
September 04 2024 2:27 PM
Even Republicans are against Tennessee’s trans health ban
September 04 2024 1:05 PM
And they're off! 8 things to watch for as the 2024 presidential election kicks into high gear
September 04 2024 10:00 AM
Tim Walz to honor LGBTQ+ community at Human Rights Campaign National Dinner (exclusive)
September 04 2024 9:00 AM
A Virginia college bans transgender students — based on language from the year 1900
September 04 2024 5:39 AM
Harris campaign, others call out Trump for holding events in towns with racist histories
September 04 2024 4:57 AM
Candace Owens claims TikTok makes men gay and causes women to hate them
September 03 2024 6:27 PM
16 LGBTQ+ movies & TV shows to watch in September 2024
September 03 2024 4:21 PM
Transphobic Texas Democrat finds home for bigotry in state Republican Party
September 03 2024 4:07 PM