July 15, 1997 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - According to the Ecumenical News International, "The national assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia has agreed that a person's sexual orientation is in itself no bar to ordination and that presbyteries (regional councils) can provide some recognition to same-sex relationships. The assembly, which took place in Perth, from 5 to 12 July, did so by agreeing to 'note' -- and not to reject -- the decisions on sexual orientation made by the church's national executive committee over the last 15 years. The new president of the church, John Mavor, spoke of an inclusive church in which gay and lesbian people were 'very welcome'" (ENI, July 14, 1997).

According to a Uniting Church media release, the current policy of the church is that "the sexual orientation of an applicant or candidate (for ministry) is not and has not been in itself a bar to ordination." The policy also states that the suitability of a candidate may depend, however, on the "manner in which the applicant or candidate's sexuality is expressed."

The Uniting Church of Australia was formed in 1977 by a union of Methodists, Congregationalists, and most Presbyterians.

During the debate on the topic, Dorothy McRae McMahon, the national mission director, declared that she is a homosexual by noting that she is "one of the people whose ordination is in question."