Church Jury Acquits Gay Methodist Pastor

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Church Jury Acquits Gay Methodist Pastor

 

By ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE, Associated Press Writer

 

BOTHELL, Wash. - A lesbian Methodist pastor was acquitted Saturday in a church trial over her sexual orientation, and will be allowed to continue her ministry.

 

After about 10 hours of deliberations, a jury of 13 pastors ruled in favor of the Rev. Karen Dammann, 47, who disclosed three years ago that she was in a homosexual relationship. Eleven pastors found her not guilty and two were undecided.

 

Dammann said she was happy and relieved. "It's been heart-stopping at times, too exciting at times," she said.

 

Meredith Savage, Dammann's partner of nine years, said she called their 5-year-old son after the verdict and shouted, "Mama won!"

 

Even the pastor who served as the prosecutor in her case and the bishop who filed the initial complaint against her said they were pleased with the verdict.

 

Church law prohibits the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals and the church's Book of Discipline declares homosexuality to be "incompatible to Christian teachings." But the church's social principles support gay rights and liberties.

 

The jury issued a statement saying the church "did not present sufficient clear and convincing evidence to sustain the charge."

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a link to the full story:

 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040321/ap_on_re_us/gay_pastor&cid=519&ncid=716