National Briefing | West: California: Decision Against Minister Overturned

The highest court of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has found that a Northern California minister did not violate denominational law when she officiated at the weddings of two lesbian couples. The ruling by the court, based in Louisville, Ky., overturns a decision against the minister, the Rev. Jane Spahr. A regional judicial committee found Ms. Spahr guilty of misconduct last year and gave her a rebuke, the lightest possible punishment. The church’s high court found that the ceremonies Ms. Spahr performed were not marriages, so she did not violate the church’s constitution. Ms. Spahr, 65, retired last year.