Presbyterian Church faces revolt after proposing clergy must be in monogamous relationships and critics blame white privilege

A progressive Christian denomination is facing sharp internal backlash over a proposed rule that would require ordained clergy to be in monogamous sexual relationships.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is set to vote on the monogamy requirement at its General Assembly this summer in Milwaukee.The measure has sparked fierce debate and outrage from three official progressive church committees and polyamorous church groups, according to Religion News Service.The PC(USA) has allowed for the ordination of openly gay clergy since 2011 and altered its definition of marriage to “two people” in 2014.

The new proposed rule, known as CON-10, does not mention sexual orientation or same-sex relationships.Instead, it targets multipartner relationships, arguing that the practice of polyamory or polygamy can create “power imbalances, emotional harm, and spiritual confusion,” particularly for women, children, and historically marginalized persons.The rule, submitted by the Sierra Blanca Presbytery, states that PC(USA) pastors must “display moral character” and, “if engaged in any relationship of a sexual nature, living in a monogamous one.” The rule also asks the church to develop pastoral resources to help people leaving “polyamorous or polygamous situations.”However, the proposal drew outrage from three official PC(USA) church advisory committees: the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, the Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice, and the Advocacy Committee on LGBTQIA+ Equity.In its official response, the Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice claimed that requiring pastors to be monogamous attempts to “regulate the private lives and relational structures of individuals in ways that risk harm rather than healing.” The committee further argued that a monogamy mandate could “unintentionally reinforce systems of shame, silence, and spiritual coercion.”The Advocacy Committee on LGBTQIA+ Equity also argued that the monogamy ...