English translation of letter from the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico:
August 22, 2011, Mexico, D. F.
Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the PC (U.S.A.)
Grace and peace from God our Heavenly Father to all of you and to God’s people, that prevail in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Chief and Head of the Church.
In my position as Secretary of the H. General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, I am sending the present document to communicate the official decision made by our National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, in the last extraordinary and legislative Council meeting held at El Divino Salvador Church, in Xonacatlán, Mexico, on August 17-19, 2011, regarding the partnership between our Churches, which states:
“To revoke Article 41, number 4 of our Manual of Procedures, which entitles us to have official, covenant relations of work and cooperation with the PC (U.S.A.) and terminate the official relationship with the church, starting on August 18, 2011. As the General Assembly, we are open to restore the partnership and work together in the future, if the Amendment 10 A is rescinded.”
This agreement, given by the approval of the Amendment 10 A of the PC (USA) Book of Order, in the meeting that took place in July 2010, and ratified again in May 201, which states: “A person in a relationship of the same gender can be considered for ordination as a Deacon, Presbyter, Minister of the Word and Sacraments”. Likewise the explanatory video for the Hispanic churches, presented by Loyda Aja, Director of the Office of the Stated Clerk of the PC (USA), expresses: “Now, there is no specific prohibition that is against a Consistory or Presbytery to be able to ordain and install people involved in same-gender relations” (in other words, homosexuals and lesbians).
The H. General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, having analyzed this decision with all H. H. Presbyteries and R.R. Synods of our National Country at the plenary session of the Assembly, made the above decision to terminate relations immediately, denouncing the sin and explicit disobedience to the Word of God, which tells us that we should not partake in the same. “And I heard a voice from the heaven saying: Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins…” (Revelations 18:4).
We take this opportunity to express our most profound gratitude to our great God and to the PC (U.S.A.), for all the support received in the joint work that, as partner churches, we were able to accomplish under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit of God, for more than a century of fraternal relationships of work and partnership.
Finally, we emphasize that the decision made by our church, includes to stay attentive to the process and change of direction that follows your Church in its determinations with respect of Amendment 10 A, to see if the grace of God allows us to one day restore this partnership for His glory and blessings of both churches.
Likewise, we hope with all our hearts that the infinite grace of God, manifested through the direction of His Holy Spirit, continues to illuminate and prosper the life and walk of your Church in the United States of America.
In agreement of the H. General Assembly,
Presbyter Amador Lopez Hernandez
Secretary
