WENATCHEE — A local church has joined with others around the globe in taking a strong, unified stand on the sanctity of life, the significance of traditional marriage and the importance of broad religious liberties.

Elders of the First Presbyterian Church last month adopted the Manhattan Declaration, a proclamation of human dignity and Christian conscience endorsed by denominations around the world, said senior pastor Pat McElroy.

“We believe this is a stand that Christ would have taken and that needs to be taken now,” McElroy said earlier this month. “The social and political climate is right for serious Christians to speak in one powerful voice, to stand up for what we know is true.”

The declaration — unveiled about four months ago in New York to leaders of Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and evangelical denominations — is based on values, issues and practices in doctrines shared across the Christian faith, he said.

“This is the first time in a thousand years that all these denominations — Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant — have joined together in one purpose,” he said. “This makes it incredibly significant.”

The leaders of hundreds of ministries and congregations around the world have endorsed the document, according to the Web site manhattandeclaration.org.

McElroy said he believes First Presbyterian’s 514-member congregation is the only Wenatchee Valley church to adopt the declaration so far, but expects others will follow in coming months. The pastor said he hoped all 42 Presbyterian congregations in Eastern Washington would endorse the declaration, and that the larger regional or national church would follow suit.

“These things tend to start locally — right here in our own church — and can result in national and global change,” he said. “In adopting the declaration, it’s evident that our congregation is not just saying — it’s doing. It’s taking a crucial step to make a real difference in the world.”

In adopting the declaration, said McElroy, First Presbyterian pledges its support for life through “a strong message of no abortions, no assisted suicides and no euthanasia.” Its members also pledge to refrain from supporting same-sex partnerships and marriages and support religious values now being eroded and disrespected in media, academics and politics, he added.

“In some ways, this (declaration) is no different than what we’ve professed for years,” said McElroy. Members of the First Presbyterian congregation reach out to people in need, he said, through various activities, including marriage mentoring, missionary work in Guatemala and Mexico and active support of Serve Wenatchee Valley, a local umbrella group helping people through area churches and ministries.

“But the declaration is a statement of unity,” he said, “of the greater, larger Christian church standing together and saying ‘this is what we believe.’ ”

Mike Irwin: 665-1179

irwin@wenatcheeworld.com