August 24, 2009
(RNS) -- After a long and contentious debate, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted Friday (Aug. 21) to drop a ban on partnered gay clergy and committed to let people in same-sex relationships serve as leaders of the church.
The ground-breaking decision is a dramatic change for the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, which previously permitted openly gay and lesbian clergy so long as they remained celibate.
Progressives in the denomination hailed the elimination of the ban, while conservatives immediately encouraged members and congregations who disagree with the decisions to direct their money elsewhere.
As soon as the fourth vote in a multi-vote process was taken, Bishop Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the 4.6-million-member denomination, called for unity and continued dialogue, acknowledging that some felt "deeply disappointed" by the actions and others have "experienced reconciliation."
"We're all called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts," he told delegates gathered in Minneapolis for their biennial Churchwide Assembly after the 667-307 vote overturning the ban.
The action, after decades of debate and eight years of intense study, is another milestone for gay rights among mainline Protestant churches. In July, Episcopalians voted to lift a de facto ban on openly gay bishops, and voted to support the blessing of same-sex relationships.
The Lutherans' resolution lifting the ban on gay clergy in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships" was amended to state that policies of the denomination would recognize the conviction of members who don't agree that people in such relationships should be allowed in ministry positions.
Even before the last vote was taken, a conservative coalition known as Lutheran CORE distanced itself from the denomination. In a statement, the group announced plans to meet in September in Indianapolis with "faithful Lutherans" and ended its recognition as an independent organization related to the ELCA.
