German Lutherans May Elect Gay Bishop
Monday 7th July 2008
The Anglican Church has effectively split over the issue of a gay Bishop, and now the Lutheran Church could potentially vote in the first openly gay Bishop in that denomination.
Schleswig Cathedral
Horst Gorski, 51, of Hamburg has declared as a candidate for the office of Bishop of Schleswig. His opposition is local clergyman Gerhard Ulrich. They will both run to replace retiring Bishop Hans Christian Knuth.
Conservatives warn that electing Gorski could split the Church as it has split the Anglicans. The election takes place on July 12.
Gorski is an archdeacon at a Hamburg Lutheran Church. He was appointed amid controversy but quickly won over the church. His sexuality soon ceased to be an issue, and Gorski believes it will not be an issue in the election of a bishop.
However, local conservatives in Schleswig and clergy in certain areas have said they will not accept a gay bishop. One retired minister argued electing Gorski bishop could “destroy the Church’s credibility.”
The issue will not likely cause the same turmoil as has happened in the Anglican community. Lutheran Churches in Germany, Norway, Holland and Sweden have accepted gay clergymen for years now without incident.
Gorksi is a well-known theologian in Germany. He has also founded a centre for gay and lesbian clergy. He dismisses sexuality as the main issue in the election, saying that the biggest Church issue today should be finding a language to communicate with people.
Do you want to write for Pinke? We're looking for writers all over the world to write about the gay issues that matter around the globe. We're particularly looking for travel writers and writers in Asia/Africa/the Middle East, but we'll consider anyone with great writing skills and an interest in the subject. Email Pinke editor Robert Knox for more information.
Schleswig Cathedral
Horst Gorski, 51, of Hamburg has declared as a candidate for the office of Bishop of Schleswig. His opposition is local clergyman Gerhard Ulrich. They will both run to replace retiring Bishop Hans Christian Knuth.
Conservatives warn that electing Gorski could split the Church as it has split the Anglicans. The election takes place on July 12.
Gorski is an archdeacon at a Hamburg Lutheran Church. He was appointed amid controversy but quickly won over the church. His sexuality soon ceased to be an issue, and Gorski believes it will not be an issue in the election of a bishop.
However, local conservatives in Schleswig and clergy in certain areas have said they will not accept a gay bishop. One retired minister argued electing Gorski bishop could “destroy the Church’s credibility.”
The issue will not likely cause the same turmoil as has happened in the Anglican community. Lutheran Churches in Germany, Norway, Holland and Sweden have accepted gay clergymen for years now without incident.
Gorksi is a well-known theologian in Germany. He has also founded a centre for gay and lesbian clergy. He dismisses sexuality as the main issue in the election, saying that the biggest Church issue today should be finding a language to communicate with people.
Do you want to write for Pinke? We're looking for writers all over the world to write about the gay issues that matter around the globe. We're particularly looking for travel writers and writers in Asia/Africa/the Middle East, but we'll consider anyone with great writing skills and an interest in the subject. Email Pinke editor Robert Knox for more information.
