Rev. Alex da Silva Souto came out as a "queer man" to his parishioners earlier this year.

Pastor Who Feared Retribution After Coming Out Receives Love And Support Instead

A pastor who feared losing his job after coming out earlier this year is instead receiving love and support from the local clergy and members of his congregation.

Rev. Alex da Silva Souto worried he’d no longer be able to preach at the New Milford United Methodist Church in Connecticut after coming out as a “queer man” to his congregation back in May. But the congregation just voted 9-1 to become one of 800 gay-friendly Methodist churches in the Reconciling Ministry Network.

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Da Silva Souto said he’s grateful for the outpouring of support, but must still take into account the 10% of his parishioners who didn’t want to see the church’s status change.

Based on the church’s Book of Discipline, he could still face retribution if charges are brought against him for being a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual.”

“Until the Book of Discipline is changed, we can be jobless and homeless at the drop of the hat,” da Silva Souto said.

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Some church officials have already questioned his ordination: The Judicial Council, the Methodist Church’s version of a Supreme Court, will make a final ruling this spring about whether or not homosexuals can be clergy.

h/t: News Times