Church Boots Pastor Who Officiated Gay Son’s Wedding

Rev. Frank Schaefer performed his son's 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts

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A Pennsylvania pastor who performed a same-sex wedding for his gay son was stripped of his status on Thursday.

The United Methodist Church defrocked Rev. Frank Schaefer for officiating the 2007 wedding of his son in Massachusetts, the Associated Press reports. He was previously suspended and asked to resign from the clergy, but he said he would not do so voluntarily.

Officials with the United Methodist Church, which accepts gay and lesbian members but says homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching,” took action against Schaefer after being informed of the wedding.

Shaeffer planned to address the decision later Thursday.

[AP]