Lutheran congregation striped of status

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

San Bernardino, CA, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Pacifica Lutheran Synod has revoked a San Bernardino, Calif, mission's congregational status because its pastor is in a committed lesbian relationship.

The decision to remove the Central City Lutheran Mission, an urban ministry that serves poor and homeless people, of its official recognition is the harshest punishment of a Lutheran congregation with a gay pastor in more than a decade.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allows homosexual clergy if they are celibate and 13 other congregations have installed openly gay and lesbian pastors, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

"This is the first time in 14 years that any congregation or any pastor has been dealt with this harshly. We thought those days were over," said Pastor David Kalke, who leads the San Bernardino mission. "It appears conservatism has raised its ugly head here in Southern California, much to our surprise."