ELCA approves controversial non-celibate gay clergy proposal

By Forum Communications Co.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has approved a proposal that will allow non-celibate gays to serve in the clergy by a 559 to 451 vote at the denomination's Churchwide Assembly today.

The resolution states the the ELCA commits itself to "finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rosterd leaders of this church."

Previous ELCA policy had required homosexuals in the clergy to remain celibate.