CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NEWSnet/AP) — United Methodist Church delegates on Friday repealed a longstanding ban on the celebration of same-sex marriage or unions by its clergy and churches.
The change doesn’t mandate or explicitly affirm same-sex marriages, but it removes their prohibition. It takes effect May 4.
The 447-233 vote by the UMC's General Conference came a day after delegates voted to repeal a declaration that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." On Wednesday, delegates repealed a ban on LGBTQ clergy.
Delegates voted to repeal a section in Book of Discipline, or church law, that states: “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.”
Clergy are neither required nor prohibited from performing any marriage, according to existing law the conference affirmed, with minor revisions.
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