Lutheran gay-clergy issue on hold

Adding one more day to an 18-year discussion of sexuality in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voting members delayed further discussion on ordaining gay and lesbian clergy till Friday.

In an hourlong debate protracted by prayer and parliamentary wrangling, voting members asked a church task force charged with drafting a social statement about human sexuality by 2009 to consider taking a position on blessing same-sex unions.

But voting members at the biennial national meeting in Chicago of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination did not resolve the question of whether gay and lesbian clergy can serve congregations if they are in committed relationships rather than living in celibacy. "It's been 18 years. How much longer?" asked Sharon Bost of the Southeastern Synod.But Bishop Gregory Pile of the Allegheny Synod said a sudden decision on the issue would circumvent church process.

"Throughout 18 years this church has chosen not to make decisions on separate and particular elements of sexuality," he said. "It has continued to call for a broad and thorough conversation leading up to a proposed statement in 2009."

 

Lutheran gay-clergy issue on hold
Chicago Tribune, United States