September 6, 2009
The gay debate
by John Longhurst
Winnipeg Free Press
There was a big story in Minneapolis last month, but it had nothing to do with the acquisition of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre by the hometown Vikings.
In fact, the return to football by the all-star player had to share space on the front page of the city's two major newspapers with -- of all things -- a religion story.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America voting members stop for a moment of prayer Aug. 21 during their assembly at the Minneapolis Convention Center. More than 1,000 members debated and voted on whether to allow gay and lesbian clergy to serve while being in committed same-sex relationships.
And what was that story? The decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to permit non-celibate gays and lesbians to become clergy.
"Sexually active gays can be clergy," said the headline in the Aug. 22 Minneapolis Pioneer Press, right beside a photo of a smiling Favre in a Vikings uniform.
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