Defrocked Methodist Pastor Faces Council to Keep Ordination after Officiating Gay Son's Wedding

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Oct 23, 2014

Defrocked Methodist Pastor Faces Council to Keep Ordination after Officiating Gay Son's Wedding

A Methodist pastor who was previously defrocked after officiating his gay son’s wedding, and then reinstated, has appealed to the denomination’s judicial council to keep his ordination. 

Rev. Frank Schaefer, former pastor of Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Pennsylvania, officiated the gay wedding in 2007; the pastor was defrocked in December 2013 and reinstated in June 2014. 

Schaefer is the father to three gay children. 

In the appeal Wednesday (Oct. 22), dozens supported Schaefer by wearing rainbow scarves. Others, however, believe that Schaefer should be ousted from the ministry. 

Rev. Christopher Fisher argued against the pastor’s reinstatement, saying the move "sends a message to the church that it's OK to ignore and violate the discipline.” 

The nine-member judicial council is not expected to announce their final decision until after the meeting ends on Saturday. 

Publication date: October 23, 2014



Defrocked Methodist Pastor Faces Council to Keep Ordination after Officiating Gay Son's Wedding