The Change Mariner

Lesbian Pastor Cleared

New York Times:

A jury of 13 Methodist clergy members said Saturday that a fellow minister did not violate church law by being in a lesbian relationship, concluding a proceeding that put on trial the church's stance on homosexuality as much as it did the minister's relationship.

The ecclesiastical trial of the minister, the Rev. Karen T. Dammann, captivated United Methodist ministers and congregants around the country. The verdict comes about a month before the church opens its quadrennial convention in Pittsburgh, and is likely to serve as a rallying cry for both church conservatives and liberals already prepared for a clash over the church's stand on homosexuality.The jury deliberated for more than 10 hours over two days in the Sunday school classroom of the Bothell United Methodist Church near Seattle. Eleven jurors voted to find Ms. Dammann not guilty. The other two were undecided.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Ms. Dammann, 47, said the verdict vindicated her painful emotional decision to come out as a lesbian but meant equally difficult times ahead for the church.

"For the church it means a beginning of another stage of struggles, and I'm mindful of that," she said. "This is going to be painful."

Posted by Bob King at March 21, 2004 01:30 PM | TrackBack
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