Philadelphia (AP) – About 30 Methodist ministers from eastern Pennsylvania say they’ll jointly officiate the marriage of a same-sex couple, in violation of church doctrine.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports move is intended as an act of solidarity with a pastor facing possible dismissal for presiding at the wedding of his gay son.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer officiated his son’s 2007 wedding in Massachusetts, where gay marriage is legal. Schaefer, who leads a congregation in Lebanon, Pa., faces a religious trial Nov. 18.
This week, a group of Methodist ministers gathered in Philadelphia to discuss the case. They decided to officiate at a gay couple’s wedding next month.
Ceremony details were not disclosed. But the group says the names of participating pastors will be made public on the marriage certificate.
