(Counsel for the Complainant) pointed that (the minister) was not eligible at the time of his ordination due to a violation of the chastity standard — any new amendments notwithstanding. He added that the standards of Scripture and Reformed tradition were not overridden by Amendment 10A and that Anderson would not be eligible unless he repents for his “homoerotic behavior.”

The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s highest judicial body opened a full day of hearings with a challenge to determine if a complaint seeking to void the ordination of a gay man will be heard.

During a Friday morning hearing, the General Assembly Permanent Justice Commission (GAPJC) heard a motion to dismiss an appeal by Caledonia Presbyterian Church of Portage, Wis. in its attempt to overturn the ordination of self-affirmed gay candidate Scott Anderson.

John Knox Presbytery of Wisconsin asked the commission to render Caledonia’s complaint moot in light of the recent passage of Amendment 10A which changes the PCUSA Book of Order and will allow presbyteries to ordain homosexual candidates. The presbytery claimed the matter was moot since the traditional, Scriptural standard regarding fidelity and chastity no longer exists.

“We now have a different standard…a standard of joyful submission” John Knox counsel Doug Nave told the commission. “There is nothing left to address,” he added.

Anderson, a self-affirming gay man and former Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, claimed that his 19-year partnership with another man was not a violation of Scripture, the Book of Confessions or the standards set forth in the Book of Order.

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