After a debate that lasted all day Aug. 12, the national assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America rejected a plan to allow gay men and lesbians in committed relationships to be ordained as members of the clergy.
The New York Times noted that the vote divided almost evenly, with 49 percent in favor to 51 percent. (To pass, the measure required a two-thirds majority.) A resolution to remain unified despite deep differences over homosexuality was approved by a vote of 851 to 127.
The 1,018 delegates in Orlando, Fla., also voted against an amendment that would have given pastors explicit permission to bless same-sex unions. However, the assembly approved a more nebulous measure that both upholds the current ban on same-sex blessing ceremonies and says at the same time that the church will ‘trust’ pastors and congregations ‘to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care’ to everyone. Many gay-rights advocates regarded the vote as leaving the possibility open for same-sex blessings, while opponents of gay blessings maintained that it was an unequivocal rejection.