Church Trial Begins For Gay Blessing Preacher Gal

Presbyterian minister Janet Edwards finds herself in the hot seat this week as a nine-person church court weighs whether Edwards violated the organization’s constitution by blessing a same-sex union in 2005.

Edwards, who has always been forthright about her involvement in the lesbian nuptials, pleaded not guilty, while her lawyer blasted the panel’s inquisition: “Never before have we seen such a concerted effort to prosecute a minister for a loving act, faithfully performed and permitted by the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).”

A former Pennsylvania state Superior Judge, Justin M. Johnson, took the stand in Edwards’ defense, saying he could find no language in the religion’s constitution prohibiting same-sex blessings.

The trial continues today.

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