Gay priests, round two

last updated 8 January 2015

Chicago

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America this week proposed letting gays and lesbians serve as ministers. The proposal, subject to a vote at the church’s annual assembly, in August, pushed Lutherans into a debate that has deeply divided Episcopalians. The Lutherans now accept only those gay pastors who are celibate. The new policy would let bishops make exceptions for openly homosexual ministers in “lifelong, committed” relationships. But Rev. Roy Harrisville III, a conservative leader, vowed to fight the change. “It opens the door to crossing myriad sexual boundaries that I think should not be crossed,” he said. “This strikes at the Christian identity.”