By KATHY MATHESON
Associated Press
Photo: Matt Rourke/AP
PHILADELPHIA — A United Methodist minister in Pennsylvania plans to defy a church order to surrender his credentials for performing a same-sex wedding.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer said Monday that he cannot uphold the church’s Book of Discipline because he finds it discriminatory. The Methodist church accepts gay and lesbian members but rejects the practice of homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Schaefer says he doesn’t know what will happen next. He’s scheduled to meet with church officials Thursday about his future, following his conviction in a church trial last month.
Methodist Bishop Peggy Johnson acknowledges the denomination is in turmoil over the issue. She says the church uses contradictory language about sexual orientation.
Schaefer is serving a 30-day suspension from his church for leading his son’s same-sex wedding in Massachusetts.
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