Gay Deacon Passes Presby Test

Presbyterian Lisa Larges, whose application for ministry has twice been denied because of her sexual orientation, cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night when her San Fransisco Presbytery voted to support her.

The AP says the close vote, 167-151, is the first test of the new "scruples" policy of Presbyterian Church (USA), which allows ministerial candidates to lodge a conscientious objection to a particular church policy. Although I thought there had been other cases.

Church rules still prohibit sexually active gay and lesbian clergy.

The 44-year-old Larges still must submit to an interview with the presbytery in April, church officials said, via the AP.