- United Methodist representatives have repealed their church’s long-standing ban on LGBTQ clergy without debate.
- Delegates removed a rule that prevented those who identify as LGBTQ from becoming or ordaining ministers.
- The historic changes follow decades of debate, with Tuesday’s vote removing mandatory penalties for gay marriage and a ban on LGBTQ ministry candidates.
United Methodist delegates were repealed of their church A long-standing ban on LGBTQ clergy was lifted without debate on Wednesday, removing a rule barring “self-proclaimed homosexuals” from becoming or ordaining ministers.
Delegates voted 692–51 at their general convention – the first such legislative gathering in five years. This huge difference is in sharp contrast to the decades-long dispute over this issue. Previous general conferences of the United Methodist Church had consistently strengthened the ban and related penalties amid debate and opposition, but many conservatives who previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this general conference is a solid Disha has moved forward in a progressive direction.
There was applause in some parts of the convention hall on Wednesday after the voting. A group of observers from LGBTQ advocacy groups embraced, some with tears in their eyes. “Thank God,” said one.
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This change does not mandate or even explicitly affirm LGBTQ clergy, but it does mean the church no longer forbids them. It is possible that the change will apply mainly To us Church, because United Methodist bodies in other countries such as Africa have the authority to impose rules for their areas. The measure takes effect immediately at the conclusion of the general conference on Friday.
Angie Cox, left, and Joel Heinemann embrace after the approval vote at the United Methodist Church General Conference on May 1, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The consensus was so overwhelming that it was incorporated into a “consensus calendar”, a package of typically non-controversial measures that are bundled into a vote to save time.
A measure also was approved that prevents district superintendents – a regional administrator – from punishing clergy for performing same-sex marriages or refraining from doing so. It also prevents superintendents from forbidding or requiring churches from hosting same-sex weddings.
The measure also removes barriers surrounding various LGBTQ restrictions, which are embedded in various pieces of official church law and policy. On Tuesday, representatives began taking steps to end such policies.
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Delegates are also expected to vote as soon as today on whether to replace their existing official social principles with a new document that no longer deems “the practice of homosexuality … inconsistent with Christian teaching.” and which now defines marriage as “between two people of faith.” “But rather between a man and a woman.
The changes are historic in a denomination that has debated LGBTQ issues for more than half a century at its general conferences, which typically meet every four years. On Tuesday, delegates voted to remove mandatory penalties for conducting same-sex marriages and to lift their denomination’s restrictions on considering LGBTQ candidates for ministry and funding for gay-friendly ministries.
After the vote, about 100 LGBTQ people and allies gathered outside the Charlotte Convention Center — many with rainbow-colored scarves and umbrellas — to celebrate, praying and singing praise songs accompanied by drums.
Bishop Karen Oliveto, the first openly gay bishop in the United Methodist Church, was among those celebrating.
“It seemed like a simple vote, but it had so much weight and power,” said Oliveto, of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, which includes Colorado and Montana, that the call of the Holy Spirit on people’s lives had been banned for 50 years. Has been done.” , Utah and Wyoming. “People can follow their calling fully without fear. The Church we have loved has found a home for us.”
Angie Cox, an observer at the meeting from Ohio, said she has gone before her conference’s ordained ministry board six times, but “was only turned down because of the ban on LGBTQ clergy.” “Wednesday’s vote means I will finally be able to fully live up to my calling,” she said.
Tracy Merrick, a delegate from Pittsburgh who has advocated for LGBTQ inclusion at several past conventions, said emotionally that “there were times when I thought we would never see this day.”
The vote, he said, enables the church “to become the denomination that many of us have envisioned for years.”
Also, this vote comes after one-quarter of American churches left within the UMC. And it may also prompt the departure of some international churches, particularly in Africa, where more conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity has been criminalized in some countries.
Last week, the conference endorsed a regionalization plan that would essentially allow churches in the United States the same autonomy as other areas of the global church. That change — which still requires local ratification — could create a scenario where LGBTQ clergy and gay marriage are allowed in the United States but not in other areas.
More than 7,600 mostly Orthodox congregations in the United States disaffiliated between 2019 and 2023, reflecting frustration over the denomination not enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.
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Last week’s conference also approved the departure of a small group of Orthodox churches in the former Soviet Union.
The church’s 1972 General Conference approved a statement in its non-binding Social Principles that homosexuality is “inconsistent with Christian teaching” – a phrase omitted in an amendment to the Social Principles that is also up for a conference vote this week. Is.
The now-repealed ban on “self-proclaimed clergy practicing homosexuals” was originally enacted in 1984, when the conference voted to require “fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness.”
This denomination was until recently the third largest denomination in the United States, present in almost every county. But its U.S. membership is expected to decline by 5.4 million in 2022 after accounting for departures in 2023.
This sect also has 4.6 million members mainly in other countries. in AfricaHowever the earlier estimate was higher.
