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
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme

The document outlines the governing priorities of Northern Ireland’s government.

Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'
Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'

In his weekly Angelus address, Pope Francis gave praise to God as the one who never abandons us, even in times of severe trial.

Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector
Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector

Serhy Semchuk was sentenced to five years and has had all appeals rejected

Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church
Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church

A homeless man alleged to have threatened a deadly gas attack on Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Eve has been indicted on a federal terrorism charge.