Pridgen finds herself in the strange position of being asked to resign, even though no formal charges have been made against her. She is unavailable for comment until after she consults with her attorney.
Pridgen's resignation was recommended by the Christian Educational Committee, which has been "studying her situation" for some time. The Committee read the following statement at a meeting of the Presbytery today:
Background Statement "There are times when the Committee on Ministry faces situations among the minister members of the Presbytery or among Presbyterian churches which are of such a highly sensitive nature that special care and attention is needed. "Such an occasion occurred with the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Carlton Pridgen and the Calhoun Presbyterian Church in February of 1993. At that time, a subcommittee of COM (Committee on Ministry) began confidentially and pastorally to care for Carlton and members of the Calhoun Church. "When the pulpit became vacant, the COM began its work with the Session and the congregation of the Calhoun Church. "As time went on, it became clear that Carlton had begun a transition to a transgender expression, and wished to be known as Carla. The entire committee was apprised of Carlton's/Carla's transgendered status. Additional visits were made to the Calhoun Session, and the Presbytery was formally notified of this situation on August 1, 1995. "Over the last year, the COM as a whole has met with Carla in person, received written correspondence from him/her, and conducted one telephone conference call. Additionally, individual members of COM have talked with him/her by telephone. Hours of discussion and prayer, especially during this last year, have occupied much of the Committee's time. "This situation is exceedingly complex, involving a number of persons and issues. We have explored this whole matter and have not reached our decision lightly. Praying for the Spirit's guidance, we feel that C.T. Pridgen should not continue in the practice of ministry of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, USA. We believe this is the right course of action both for Carlton/Carla and for the whole Church."Pridgen was told that if she did not resign by the time of the next Presbytery meeting on 28 May, 1996, she would be placed on inactive status. After three years on inactive status, she would be stripped of her ordination. She was told also that if she practices ministry in any form, her ordination will be immediately terminated.
Dallas Denny, executive director of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc., a nonprofit clearinghouse and advocacy agency on transsexual and transgender issues, said, "I find it tragic and pathetic that the Cherokee Presbytery is unable and unwilling to deal with the issue of transsexualism. We do not live in simple times, and the twenty-first century is certainly going to be even more complex. Is the Presbyterian Church going to run away from those issues, too?"
Denny pointed out that in the early part of this century, Georgia Presbyteries were condemning clothing much more moderate than those worn by the majority of the Cherokee Presbytery members today. She called for transsexuals to pray for the spiritual enlightenment of the Presbytery Church. "Carla Pridgen is a fine person who has lived an exemplary life. She and her family have been done a grievous wrong by the Cherokee Presbytery. Perhaps the prayers of transsexuals everywhere will help the Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church in their time of need."
Pridgen's father is also a Presbyterian minister.