Defrocked for performing gay marriage

Accompanied by his wife Brigitte, center right, Rev. Frank Schaefer, of Lebanon, Pa., departs after a meeting with officials at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, in Norristown, Pa. Church officials have defrocked Schaefer, who officiated his son's gay wedding in Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Accompanied by his wife Brigitte, center right, Rev. Frank Schaefer, of Lebanon, Pa., departs after a meeting with officials at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, in Norristown, Pa. Church officials have defrocked Schaefer, who officiated his son's gay wedding in Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Published Dec 19, 2013

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Norristown, Pennsylvania - Church officials have defrocked a United Methodist pastor from who officiated his son's gay wedding in Massachusetts.

The Rev. Frank Schaefer, of Pennsylvania, had already been suspended. On Thursday, he met with church officials to determine whether he would continue as a pastor.

Schaefer was told to resign from the clergy by Thursday if he could not follow the denomination's Book of Discipline. But Schaefer says the book discriminates against gay people and says he wouldn't voluntarily surrender his credentials.

Church spokesman John Coleman says officials decided to defrock him.

Schaefer left the short meeting with church officials without commenting but planned to address the matter later Thursday.

Sapa-AP

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