The Rev. Frank Schaefer, a United Methodist clergyman convicted of breaking church law for officiating at his son's same-sex wedding, speaks during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at the Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Schaefer plans to defy a church order to surrender his credentials for performing a same-sex wedding. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
December 18, 2013 - 11:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA - A Methodist pastor from central Pennsylvania is about to find out whether he'll be defrocked or allowed to continue his ministry.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer has been suspended for officiating a same-sex marriage, which violates church doctrine. He's scheduled to meet with Methodist officials Thursday morning in Norristown.
Schaefer was told to resign from the clergy by Thursday if he could not follow the denomination's Book of Discipline.
Schaefer calls the book discriminatory. He says he won't voluntarily surrender his credentials, and hopes the church has a change of heart.
Schaefer has planned a news conference in the afternoon. It will be held at a Methodist church in Philadelphia where an associate pastor was defrocked in 2005 for being in a lesbian relationship.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013