| GA 2010: Assembly directs BOP to provide benefits for same-gender partners |
| Written by Leslie Scanlon, Outlook national reporter | ||
| Friday, 09 July 2010 23:16 | ||
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MINNEAPOLIS — After a long discussion, with many questions about the financial implications, the 219th General Assembly voted today (July 9) directing the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide benefits to the same-gender spouses and domestic partners of church employees and their children on the same basis as it provides benefits to employees who are married. To achieve that, the Board of Pensions intends to raise dues by no more than 1 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2012, according to its president, Rob Maggs. And the assembly urged the Board of Pensions to provide a mechanism for relief of conscience for congregations “for whom these actions cause a moral dilemma.” Some characterized the proposal as a matter of justice for church employees in same-gender partnerships; others as a matter of justice for small congregations struggling with finances. For a congregation paying its pastor $30,000 a year, the increase would amount to an extra $300 in dues, said Andy Browne of the Board of Pensions staff. The assembly voted 366-287 to extend the benefits, during a report of the assembly’s Committee on the Board of Pensions, Foundation and Publishing Corporation. The assembly also confirmed the election of Thomas Taylor as president and chief executive officer of the Foundation. Your Responses (1)
p.w. gregory
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lambetville, nj The first canon of professional ethics is, "do no harm". Meaning that any actions of either co-mission or omission, one should not inflict further pain, stress, or harm on the body-politic. Has the GA 219 harmed the church? Time will tell. But by taking the actions with the BOP by more or less administrative fiat, much like the 2006 PUP report, the church has interjected both politics and ideology into the otherwise objective benefits/entilemenet programs which individual church and clergy,have very little say or control over in terms of dues and mandated fees. It is much like taxation without due process or representation. And without a formal relief of conscious clause it will become another political football in a fractured and divided church that has many footballs in the air all at once. As per capita has become an action of ideological and theological debate, so will mandated BOP dues. But again, this is the PCUSA and never ending conflict without resolution is our calling card. |
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