A pastor might be fired for officiating his son’s same-sex wedding.
Reverend Frank Schaefer, a Methodist pastor in Pennsylvania, is
accused of presiding over the marriage ceremony in 2007.
The 51-year-old, who does not deny presiding over the wedding, said
his love for his son and God’s command to love everyone trumped over supposed
church doctrine.
‘I love him so much and didn’t want to deny him that joy,’ he said.
Schaefer, who has been a pastor at Zion United Methodist Church of
Iona in South Lebanon Township for the past 11 years, could lose his
credentials and be fired from his position.
While he was told he could avoid trial if he agreed to never
perform a same-sex marriage, Schaefer has decided he cannot hold to that
promise.
Three of his four children are gay.
At the weekend, 50 ministers gave their symbol support by filling
the Arch Street United Methodist Church and blessing the marriage in defiance
of church law.
‘Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder,’ they
said in unison, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The event, and the wedding itself from 2007, was not legal as it is
not recognized in Pennsylvania.
Schaefer’s trial will begin on 18 November.
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