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Pastor Frank Schaefer reinstated by Methodist Church

Philadelphia The Methodist Pastor from Lebanon County who was defrocked for performing a same sex marriage ceremony for his son has been reinstated by the Unite...

Philadelphia

The Methodist Pastor from Lebanon County who was defrocked for performing a same sex marriage ceremony for his son has been reinstated by the United Methodist Church. Frank Schaefer Northeastern Jurisdiction. Pastor Frank Schaefer is a Reverend at Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Lebanon County. In 2007, Schaefer officiated his son Tim’s marriage in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage.

A parishioner at his church found out and reported it.

This led to a trial before members of the United Methodist Church, who suspended him and ultimately defrocked him in December of 2013.

“I really felt sad, it was a huge loss to me. There were moments when I was losing hope, I even asked myself will I ever set foot in another church ever again,” says Reverend Frank Schaefer.

Performing gay marriages under the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Board of Ordained Ministry is in conflict with church law.

Schaefer had an appeal hearing last Friday, and today the church ruled to uphold the original 30 day suspension, which expired in December 2013. Schaefer’s credentials as a pastor are restored and he is entitled to lost salary and benefits from December 19th until now.

FOX43 received the following statement from Bishop Peggy Johnson of the Philadelphia Episcopal Area:

“The following is a public statement by Philadelphia Episcopal Area Bishop Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula-Delaware (regional) conferences. Her statement is in response to today’s decision by the United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals that the Rev. Franklyn Schaefer should be reinstated as an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church.

“Please note that Bishop Johnson has no statement to make at this time regarding whether the Appeals committee’s ruling will be appealed. That decision is  the responsibility of the Rev. Christopher Fisher, Counsel for the Church in this case.
“I was informed today by Jen Ihlo, President of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals, that the Rev. Frank Schaefer, who appealed the withdrawal of his credentials as an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church, has won his appeal, and thus, should have his credentials restored to him by the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. I intend to abide by the committee’s decision and return him to active service as an ordained clergy member of this conference presently.
“This has been a challenging judicial process, and I express my heartfelt appreciation for the diligent efforts made to ensure due process and uphold our United Methodist Discipline with respect, understanding and compassion for all involved. I also ask for continuing, supportive prayers for Mr. Schaefer, his family, and the members and churches of our conference and our denomination, as we struggle gracefully to find common ground.
“I pray confidently that our church may emerge stronger, more hopeful and more faithful to both its biblical grounding and its prophetic calling, as it continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ and equip them for God’s transforming work in the world.”
FOX43 News will have more on this developing story tonight at 10 p.m.

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