Lesbian Methodist minister faces church-based charges

Feb. 05, 2011
By TOM DOLAN
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A Wisconsin United Methodist Church panel has brought charges against a lesbian minister that could end in her removal from the clergy - but the same committee praised her courage and criticized the church laws that required that the charges be issued.

The case has helped inspire a letter from 32 retired Methodist bishops urging the church to drop its ban on "self-proclaimed practicing homosexuals" serving as ministers.

A church trial has been set for April in the case, the first of its kind in Wisconsin. the rest