Updated story: Pastor expects to be defrocked after suspension

Supporters of Rev. Frank Schaefer show their support for him during church trial. Facebook photo.

MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press

SPRING CITY, Pa. (AP) — Frank Schaefer gets to keep calling himself a Methodist pastor — at least for the next 30 days.

The United Methodist clergyman convicted of breaking church law for officiating at his son's same-sex wedding was suspended late Tuesday. He also was ordered by a jury of his fellow pastors to surrender his credentials in a month if he can't bring himself to adhere to the laws of the church's Book of Discipline.

But Schaefer says he has no intention of changing his mind about the church's teaching on homosexuality, declaring he would perform more gay marriages if asked.

Schaefer says he'll be "an outspoken advocate" for all lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people. He says he expects to be defrocked when his 30-day suspension is up.

 

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The Gayly - November 20, 2013 @ 10:30am