Influential black-led coalition breaks with US Presbyterians over gay marriage

 Reuters

One of the world's most influential black-led church coalitions has broken with the US Presbyterian Church over its endorsement of gay marriage.

The National Black Church Initiative, a coalition of 34,000 African-American and Latino churches representing nearly 16 million Americans, and which work to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing and the environment said it had split with the Presbyterians because of their "arbitrary change of Holy Scripture."

The Presbyterian Church decided recently decided to redefine marriage as a "commitment between two people" to take into account same-sex marriage.

Anthony Evans, president of the National Black Church Initiative, called on the Presbyterians to "repent and be restored to fellowship."

article,article,article Related

He said the change in doctrine was a "sin" and represented a break with 2,000 years of tradition. "No church has the right to change the word of God. By voting to redefine marriage PCUSA automatically forfeits Christ's saving grace," Evans wrote.

Bishop Janice Hollis, presiding prelate of the Covenant International Fellowship, told Breitbart that she agreed with Evans.

Too many members of the clergy were "preoccupied" with secular values, she said. "God has the final say, but we all have to say something about what we believe and not live in hiding. We must share our faith and when we don't, we lose ground to our spiritual enemy that comes to devour and destroy."

Conservative Christians in America's African-American community are among the critics of US President Barack Obama's liberal attitudes on issues such as same-sex marriage.

related articles
Presbyterian Church (USA) drops In Christ Alone from hymnal

Presbyterian Church (USA) drops In Christ Alone from hymnal

Presbyterians vote to allow gay marriage
Presbyterians vote to allow gay marriage

Presbyterians vote to allow gay marriage

Rick Warren on Roman Catholicism: \'We have more in common than what divides us\'
Rick Warren on Roman Catholicism: 'We have more in common than what divides us'

Rick Warren on Roman Catholicism: 'We have more in common than what divides us'

Largest Presbyterian denomination in the US approves same-sex marriage
Largest Presbyterian denomination in the US approves same-sex marriage

Largest Presbyterian denomination in the US approves same-sex marriage

News
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”

Bangor celebrates 1,500 years by honouring cathedral
Bangor celebrates 1,500 years by honouring cathedral

Bangor Cathedral's central role in the city's 1,500 year history will be formally recognised