AP - 19.11.2007 03:06
US: Chicago Lutheran congregation ordains lesbian who declined celibacy vow

A Lutheran church in Chicago has ordained a lesbian who refuses to take a vow of celibacy, becoming the first in the denomination to test a new resolution that gives bishops leeway in disciplining such violations. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America requires vows of celibacy for gay but not for heterosexual clergy _ a policy the Rev. Jen Rude, 27, calls discriminatory. Chicago's bishop, Wayne Miller, did not try to block Rude's ordination at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Saturday, but he also did not attend the ceremony. While he has said he believes the celibacy rule should be reversed, he also has urged bishops to follow rules set by the church. Rude, whose father and grandfather are both Lutheran ministers, expressed gratitude to the congregation.