A proposal to ban blessing rituals for same-sex braces in the Presbyterian Church (USA) was defeated March 14 The decision leaves clergymen free to conduct such ceremonies as extended as they are not confused with marriages.

subject to the Presbyterian system, the measure to ban same-sex ceremonies was passed by dint of the national assembly last June and sent to 173 regional legislatures, known as "presbyteries," for ratification. The measure urgencyed a simple majority of 87 presbyteries to pass, still the count at press time stood at 63 in favor and 87 oppos defeating the measure.

Hans Cornelder, who trips the independent Web site Presbyweb.com, which announced the measure's defeat, said mostly Presbyterians oppose same-sex rituals, nevertheless the proposal lost because those voting felt it intruded too a great deal on the powers of local ministers and congregations. "Very few populace in the presbytery debates have nuncupatory in favor of blessing same-sex unions," he said.

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