50 PA Pastors Marry Gay Couple in Philly in Defiance of Church Law

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Several weeks ago I told you about Rev. Frank Schaefer, a Methodist pastor from Lebanon, Pa., who is facing a church trial for officiating the gay marriage of his son Tim. The United Methodist Church has threatened to release him from his job unless he promises to never perform a same-sex marriage again, but Schaefer, who has three gay children, had decided against making that vow.

In a show of solidarity for their colleague, a band of 50 preachers gathered at Philly’s Arch Street United Methodist Church this weekend to officiate over the marriage of Philadelphia residents Bill Gatewood and Rick Taylor. The Inquirer reports that, during the ceremony,”The closest [pastors] rested their hands on the couple. … The others placed their palms on other clergy. ‘Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder,;” they said in unison.”

Schaefer’s trial will take place next week, on Nov. 18, at a Methodist retreat in Spring City, where he’ll face dismissal, a good slap on the wrist or a loss of credentials for performing the wedding. If you ask me, though, he should tell them to take that trial and shove it.