CHICAGO, April 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has put forth a resolution recommending the ordination of actively homosexual ministers – provided they live in committed same-sex relationships. Up until now, homosexuals could be ordained for active ministry as long as they were celibate.
The resolution was put forward at an ELCA council assembly meeting Monday. The proposal would require ratification through a vote at a Church wide assembly planned for August.
A task force studying the issue made three recommendations that will go to a vote at the August meeting. One recommendation questions whether the ELCA will “continue under current standards” to forbid “unmarried ministers” from sexual relations – “defining marriage as being between a man and a woman – but, respecting the consciences of those who find these standards in conflict with the mission of the church, the ELCA may choose to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian ministers in committed relationships and from disciplining those who call or approve partnered gay or lesbian people for ministry.”
“It’s difficult for the council to see that we would have a policy and not enforce it,” said ELCA vice president and council chair Carlos Pena in an ELCA press release. “At the same time, the council realized that it is a reality and, for the sake of outreach and ministry, we need to create some opportunity for candidates who are living in a committed relationship to be ordained and to provide ministry in specific locations.”
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