MINNEAPOLIS - 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 rostered leaders of this church."
Previous ELCA policy had required homosexuals in the clergy to remain celibate.
The assembly meets through Sunday at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
