Methodist Clergy to Defy Church Law, Bless Same-Sex Unions

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 27, 2011 2:50PM

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

A group of 200 United Methodist ministers have vowed to bless same-sex unions in Illinois, in defiance of church policy on the issue.

The resolve of these ministers, deacons and elders that they are doing the right thing has been strengthened by a recent church trial and suspension of a Wisconsin minister for conducting a ceremony for a lesbian couple. Rev. Amy DeLong was suspended for 20 days for performing the first blessing of a same-sex union in a Methodist Church since Rev. Gregory Dell was suspended for a year for performing a ceremony for two men at Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago.

The Northern Illinois Conference has since been a progressive voice in advocating for the blessing of same-sex unions. Rev. Gregory Goss, who organized the campaign, said, "Unfortunately the church has lost its prophetic voice on this issue. Our civil society has taken the lead. Now the church is trying to catch up."