Gay Lutheran
pastor in peril of being defrocked

A gay Lutheran pastor in Atlanta is in danger of being defrocked after he told the region's bishop that he has been in a relationship with a man for the past two years. The Reverend Bradley Schmeling of St. John's Lutheran Church in America had told the bishop, Ronald Warren, that he was gay when he became pastor six years ago and promised to tell Warren if he entered into a relationship, the Chicago Tribune news services report. Warren has now asked Schmeling to resign, which the pastor has refused to do. So Warren has referred the case to a church disciplinary committee to consider whether to defrock Schmeling. The Lutheran Church does not allow gay and lesbian ministers to be sexually active. (The Advocate)