Gay Lutheran Pastor Is Defrocked
Pastor Dale Morgan
Gay Lutheran Pastor Is Defrocked*
Friday February 9, 2007 2:31 AM
By DORIE TURNER
Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA (AP) - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said Thursday
it is removing from the clergy a gay minister from Atlanta who announced
he has a partner.
The Rev. Bradley Schmeling, who has led St. John's, Atlanta's oldest
Lutheran church, since 2000, will be removed from the roster effective
Aug. 15, according to a report from the ELCA's disciplinary committee.
Schmeling, who was open about his sexuality when he took the job,
announced last year he had found a lifelong companion. Bishop Ronald
Warren asked the 44-year-old pastor to resign, but Schmeling refused.
Warren then began disciplinary proceedings last year against Schmeling
for violating church rules barring sex outside of marriage.