Presbyterians consider backing gay marriage

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is poised to become the largest U.S. Christian denomination to permit same-sex marriage if church leaders meeting for their national convention in Minneapolis go along with a committee recommendation.

Delegates to the general assembly of the 2 million-member denomination are scheduled to vote Thursday to change the definition of marriage in the church's constitution from between "a man and a woman" to between "two people."

If approved by the general assembly, the change would still require ratification votes by regional presbyteries if it's to become a permanent change to the church's constitution.

A separate measure Thursday asks Presbyterian delegates to approve lifting the church's ban on ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbian people as clergy.

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