Lutherans To Allow Sexually Active Gays To Serve In The Clergy

(AP) Leaders of the nation's largest Lutheran Church have voted to allow sexually active gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as cleagy. Gays and lesbians are currently allowed to serve as ministers in the ELCA only if they remain celibate. The proposal passed Friday night with 68-percent approval. The final decision on whether to hire gay clergy in committed relationships will lie with individual congregations. Critics predict that its passage will prompt individual congregations to split off from the denomination.