this country is going to hell..........
PUGHTOWN, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A lesbian minister who lives with her partner was defrocked for violating the United Methodist Church's ban on actively gay clergy -- the denomination's first such decision in 17 years.
A 13-member jury made up of Methodist clergy convicted Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud on Thursday, the second day of her church trial. Methodist law bars "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from ministry. The panel voted 12-1 to find Stroud guilty; nine votes were needed for a conviction.
Jurors then voted 7-6 to defrock Stroud, the bare majority necessary in the penalty phase of the trial, though her supportive congregation in Philadelphia has said Stroud can continue performing most of her duties.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/02/methodists.gays.ap/index.html