Philadelphia Church To Welcome Gay Minister
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia church ordains an openly gay pastor on Sunday.
A little more than two weeks after a Methodist priest was defrocked for performing a gay marriage, a church in Philadelphia ordains the city's first openly gay male Presbyterian pastor. Broad Street Ministry is ordaining 27-year-old David Norse, a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary in a Sunday ceremony. The church's Convening Minister, the Reverend Bill Golderer, says Norse is qualified and dedicated.
"David identifies primarily as a disciple of Jesus. And his sexuality is a part of who he is, but it doesn't define him," Rev. Golderer said.
There's been some friction nationally since the Presbyterian Church started allowing gay church officers two years ago, but Golderer says the local congregation has been largely supportive.
