A church court has convicted a retired Presbyterian minister of misconduct for officiating the weddings of gay couples when same-sex marriage was legal in California.
A judicial commission said Friday the Rev. Jane Spahr violated Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) doctrine when she married 16 couples in 2008.
The church constitution defines marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman.
The verdict followed a 3-day trial in which Spahr’s lawyers argued that her actions were inspired by Presbyterian teachings on diversity and inclusion.
The six-member commission representing 54 Northern California churches says it plans to rebuke Spahr but not suspend her from ministerial duties.
