Evangelical Lutherans Say No To Gay Clergy

The Evangelical Lutheran denomination voted today on a proposal that would have allowed gay clergy members (as long as they were in a 'committed' relationship). The denomination said no, but not by much:

A national meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America rejected a proposal Friday that would have allowed gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy under certain conditions.

The measure would have affirmed the church ban on ordaining sexually active gays and lesbians, but would have allowed bishops and church districts called synods to seek an exception for a particular candidate — if that person was in a long-term relationship and met other restrictions.

Delegates voted against the measure 503-490. Even if it had won a simple majority of votes, that wouldn't have been enough; the proposal needed a two-thirds majority to pass.

Of course, the voting was not without some drama queens:

As debate on gay ordination began Friday afternoon, about 100 gay advocates wearing rainbow sashes walked silently to the front of the hall, stood before the stage where Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson was overseeing the meeting and turned to face the delegates.

They stood quietly and did not move, even though Hanson politely asked them to disperse several times. After some discussion, the delegates decided to proceed, and the protesters stayed in place as the debate continued. They remained standing even after the voting ended.

One member of the church made a rather specious argument in favor of ordaining gay clergy:

But the Rev. G. Scott Cady of the New England Synod said rejecting gays who feel a call to ministry was tantamount to questioning the will of God.

"We have vacant pulpits and altars in congregations all over this country, We have people crying out for pastoral care," Cady said. "The Holy Spirit has said, `All right, here they are. Here they are.' Are we going to now say, `Thanks Holy Spirit, but we prefer something else."'

That sort of reminds me of the various Catholic diocese who gave a free pass to child molesters because they were short on priests (I'm not equating homosexuality with child molesting, so save your nasty letters). That fact that you may be short of people doesn't mean the proper fix is a lowering of standards.

This issue will be back, you can count on it.