Advisory Opinions

Standing Rule G.2.e provides that the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly shall "give advisory opinions concerning the meaning of the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)."

Occasionally the Clerk, or his Office of Constitutional Services, become aware that some provision or interpretation of the Constitution is not clearly defined in the Church's life. In such cases, it is the practice of the Office of the Stated Clerk to issue advisory opinions pursuant to SR G.2.e.

It should be noted that these opinions are just that: opinions. They are based upon research and practice in the Church, but they are not binding nor authoritative upon members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but none-the-less reflect the careful analysis of the Office of the Clerk.

Advisory Opinions do not constitute Authoritative Interpretations. Authoritative Interpretations may be obtained in two distinct ways:

• Presbyterians may ask the Advisory Committee on the Constitution to propose an Authoritative Interpretation (G-13.0103r). If the Assembly approves the Advisory Committee's recommendation, then that interpretation becomes Authoritative.
  
• Final decisions of the General Assembly's Permanent Judicial Commission also constitute Authoritative Interpretations. (G-13.0103r)

The following constitute Advisory Opinions issued by Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly:

Note	Subject
1	Special Administrative Review Updated 03/08
2	Dissent and Defiance Updated Updated 03/08
3	Administrative Commission Updated 03/08
4	Renunciation of Jurisdiction Updated 03/08
5	Chaplains Recalled to Active Duty Updated 3/08
6	Voting on and Reporting Proposed Book of Order Amendments Updated 4/09
7	Ceremonies Blessing Same-Sex Relationships Updated 4/08
8	G-6.0106b Updated 8/10
9	Per Capita Apportionments Updated 4/09
10	Clergy Compensation Updated 4/09
11	Church Property Updated 5/09
12	Who may preside at the celebration of the Sacraments? Updated 5/09
13	Duties of a Stated Clerk Updated 6/09
14	Receiving Ministers of Other Denominations Updated 5/09
15	Alternative Form of Resolution Agreements
16	Criteria for Validating Ministry of Continuing Members
17	Schism
18	Discernment in Examining Bodies—G-6.0108 Updated 08/10
19	Implementing the Trust Clause for the Unity of the Church Updated 11/08
20	Honorably Retired Ministers
21	Ordination Standards and Examinations Essentials, Reformed Faith and Polity Updated 09/09
22	Actions of the 218th General Assembly related to G-6.0106b and G-6.0108 Updated 07/09
23	Regarding Rights of Ex-Officio Members on General Assembly Entities of PC(USA) 08/09
24	Actions by the 219th General Assembly (2010) regarding G-6.0106b

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