Evangelical Lutheran Church set to vote on homosexual clergy during assembly at Chicago's Navy Pier
Chicago, IL -
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which claims approximately 5 million members, will consider lifting the celibacy requirement it imposes on gay and lesbian pastors during the denomination's biennial national assembly that began Monday in Chicago.
The resolution before the denomination's 1,071 voting members would permit gay and lesbian pastors in committed relationships to serve congregations.
Though the Evangelical Lutheran Church does not bar gay and lesbian pastors, it does require them to remain celibate.
The ECLA voted on, and rejected a similar measure in 2005. The celibacy issue was re-ignited earlier this year when Atlanta pastor Bradley E. Schmeiling (pictured) was expelled from his congregation after announcing he was in a committed gay relationship.
The resolution would subsequently reinstate those who have been removed because of same-sex relationships.
Chicago's Bishop Paul Landahl is in favor of the measure. "For me, those who are in committed relationships, if they are doing good ministry, I say 'God bless them,'" he told the Chicago Tribune. "We are not here to fight. Christ was a welcoming presence in the world in his time. It's a Gospel issue. I think the church is dead wrong on it."
The move, supported by nearly one-third of the church's regional governing bodies, will be voted on during the ELCA's meeting at Chicago's Navy Pier through August 11.
The denomination has 4.8 million members across the country and is the 7th largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.
Photo: Pastor Bradley Schmeling of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta was expelled from the Evangelical Lutheran Church for being in a same-sex relationship.
The resolution before the denomination's 1,071 voting members would permit gay and lesbian pastors in committed relationships to serve congregations.
Though the Evangelical Lutheran Church does not bar gay and lesbian pastors, it does require them to remain celibate.
The ECLA voted on, and rejected a similar measure in 2005. The celibacy issue was re-ignited earlier this year when Atlanta pastor Bradley E. Schmeiling (pictured) was expelled from his congregation after announcing he was in a committed gay relationship.
The resolution would subsequently reinstate those who have been removed because of same-sex relationships.
Chicago's Bishop Paul Landahl is in favor of the measure. "For me, those who are in committed relationships, if they are doing good ministry, I say 'God bless them,'" he told the Chicago Tribune. "We are not here to fight. Christ was a welcoming presence in the world in his time. It's a Gospel issue. I think the church is dead wrong on it."
The move, supported by nearly one-third of the church's regional governing bodies, will be voted on during the ELCA's meeting at Chicago's Navy Pier through August 11.
The denomination has 4.8 million members across the country and is the 7th largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.
Photo: Pastor Bradley Schmeling of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta was expelled from the Evangelical Lutheran Church for being in a same-sex relationship.
