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 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - With gays pleading for acceptance, delegates to a national meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America debated Thursday whether to approve ordination for partnered gays and to give pastors leeway in ministering to same-sex couples. Conservatives warned a change would irreparably damage the church.
The major proposals on the floor were meant as a compromise, aiming to uphold Lutheran restrictions on gays and lesbians who are not celibate, while allowing congregations and bishops to make exceptions in some cases without risking discipline.
During the debate, several delegates worried that ordaining gays would strain relations with other Christian denominations and with the many conservative Lutherans overseas. A vote could come as soon as Friday.
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