Saturday, January 22, 2005

Lutheran study backs opposing ordination of gays

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/living/10705928.htm

[CentralDaily.com] January 22, 2005--The report's recommendation would allow congregations to call a person to ministry "whose gifts ... seem well suited to the needs of that particular community of faith" -- even if such a person were in a committed same-sex union.

"This approach allows the ELCA to trust congregations, synods, candidacy committees and bishops to discern the Holy Spirit's gifts for ministry among the baptized," the report said.

While not recommending a formal ceremony for the blessing of same-gender unions, the report said some pastors may wish "to surround same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships with prayerful support."

As you can see, the report leaves a door open for the calling of non-celibate homosexuals to ordained ministry and the blessings of homosexual unions in the ECLA.

Related articles can be found at http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/living/10705928.htm

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