Donna Danna (13 Aug 2007)
"Lutherans Urged Not to Punish Gay Clergy in 'Faithful' Relationships"


(The Lutherans are going down the same slippery slope of apostasy as the Episcopalians.)

Lutherans Urged Not to Punish Gay Clergy in 'Faithful' Relationships

The largest Lutheran body in the nation caused a stir Saturday after controversially deciding not to punish homosexual clergy who are in sexual relationships.

At its annual assembly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) passed by a vote of 538-431 a resolution urging bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in “faithful committed same-gender relationships”.

A day earlier, attendees voted down a measure that would have ended a ban on non-celibate gay clergy. Saturday’s vote, however, means those who violate that policy can no longer be tried or punished.

“The Church ... has just said 'Do not do punishments'. That is huge,” commented Phil Soucy, spokesman for Lutherans Concerned, a gay-lesbian rights group within ELCA.

The 4.8-million member church body had previously allowed gays to serve as pastors, but only under the condition that they abstained from any sexual relations.

FULL STORY at

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070812/28866_Lutherans_Urged_Not_to_Punish_Gay_Clergy_in_%27Faithful%27_Relationships.htm

Lutherans To Allow Pastors In Gay Relationships

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070811/us_nm/religion_lutherans_dc

Evangelical Lutherans open door for homosexual clergy

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/08/evangelical_lutherans_reject_h.php

CHICAGO: Lutherans Urged To Accept Gay Clergy

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6494