Some Methodist clergy defy gay marriage ban

[William769]

(Milwaukee) A growing number of pastors in the United Methodist Church say they’re no longer willing to obey a church rule that prohibits them from officiating at same-sex marriages, despite the potential threat of being disciplined or dismissed from the church.
In some parts of the U.S., Methodist pastors have been marrying same-sex couples or conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions for years with little fanfare and no backlash from the denomination. Calls to overturn the rule have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks, ratcheting up the pressure for the Methodist church to join other mainline Protestant denominations that have become more accepting of openly gay leaders.

While trials of pastors who conduct same-gender ceremonies have only occurred once every several years, the threat is indeed real. The Rev. Amy DeLong of Osceola in western Wisconsin faces a three-day trial starting Tuesday in Kaukauna on two charges: violating a church prohibition on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and marrying a lesbian couple.

The jury for the church trial will be selected from a pool of Wisconsin United Methodist clergy. A total of 13 clergy will be chosen to serve during the trial and penalty phase.

http://www.365gay.com/news/some-methodist-clergy-defy-gay-marriage-ban/

[polmaven]

1. My own pastor

has signed the statement to join this movement. It has been a difficult struggle over the years to attempt to overturn the rules on these, but there is progress being made. The difficulty comes mostly from the representatives in the more conservative US states and countries.

[xchrom]

2. recommend

[HillWilliam]

3. Gawd, I despise the term "practicing homosexual"

I got it right the first time.

Maybe the Methodist church will get it right finally, too.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Makes me bristle.

Connotes sexual orientation as a choice. Agh!

[LuvNewcastle]

5. It's the "practicing" part that they're so hung up on.

They're just fine with gay people as long as we aren't having sex. They basically want us to be eunuchs.

[justiceischeap]

6. I was "practicing" the first time but I got it right the second time. :) nt