First it was San Francisco Presbytery almost two weeks ago, yesterday it was the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area that approved a non-essential departure from the PC(USA) reformed standards.  This was in the case of Mr. Paul Capetz who in May 2000 requested and was granted release from the exercise of ordained office as Minister of Word and Sacrament since he could not in good faith affirm the PC(USA) “fidelity and chastity” amendment, G-6.0106b.  This was a postponed meeting that I wrote about the details back in November.

The web site of More Light Presbyterians is reporting that yesterday the presbytery accepted the departure by a vote of 197-84-2, that Mr. Capetz be restored to ordained office by a vote of 196-79-3, and that his position at United Theological Seminary was validated as ministry on a voice vote.

I would note that the vote was not as close as it was in the San Francisco case.  Because of that, and the fact that there does not seem to be a minority report, I am not as sure this will go to the PJC, although it could get consolidated into a PJC case, or a GA PJC decision could influence it, as could action by the GA in June.