Evangelical Lutheran Church in USA Affirm Teachings on Same-Sex Blessings

Friday has seen the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) vote to rebuff what many believed was an attempt by members of the Church to drive the denomination towards approving same-sex blessing ceremonies for homosexual couples.

Over the past week the debate has been ongoing, focusing on the place if any that gays would be able to have within the Church.

Friday has seen delegates take out much of the text from a same-sex blessing measure, which was the centre of debate, as many Lutherans thought that it would allow local pastors to decide themselves whether or not to hold same-sex blessing ceremonies.

In the end, the result that emerged was one that seemed to affirm current Church doctrine; which bans same-sex blessings and expresses “trust” for pastors that minister to homosexuals. This final proposal was overwhelmingly agreed to by the delegates.

Early on Friday, a vote was made to keep the Church unified despite the troubling debate that was emerging. A majority of 851 to 127 was seen in favour of keeping unity in the denomination.

The proposal that came before the Lutheran delegates was whether the assembly should affirm the Church’s ban on ordaining sexually active homosexuals, but still allow bishops and synods to seek for exceptions for specific candidates if that person was in a “committed relationship” among other conditions.

This proposal was discussed late on Friday afternoon. The measure was put forward by a special Church taskforce as a compromise between those that supported same-sex blessings and the majority that stood firm against any change.

Handouts to Lutheran voters on Friday included a type of warning, reminding delegates of the Episcopal Church of America (ECUSA) which consecrated its first gay bishop two years ago, but has seen the Anglican Communion move to the brink of schism over the issue.

Other opponents to the proposal worried that compromising with traditional Church doctrine would strain relationships with other Christian denominations, and could cause a split among Lutherans.

Despite a number of gay-rights advocates still calling for Church laws to be changed, the 4.9 million-member denomination has stood firm and affirmed its teachings on same-sex blessings.