Atlanta, USA - A gay pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America could be defrocked after revealing he was in a long-term relationship with another man.
The Rev. Bradley Schmeling of St. John's Lutheran Church in America, had revealed he was gay when he became pastor six years ago, but he was single at the time.
The church bans sexually active gays and lesbians from becoming ministers.
Schmeling said he had promised Bishop Ronald Warren that he would come forward if he entered into a relationship, which he did after spending two years with his boyfriend, whom Schmeling now considers his life partner.
"It was an issue of conscience and integrity," Schmeling said. "I was fulfilling my promise to him, knowing full well the consequences."
Warren asked the pastor to resign, which he refused, so the bishop asked a disciplinary committee to decide whether they should revoke Schmeling's clergy credentials.
Warren, who leads the denomination's Southeastern Synod, announced the case against Schmeling in an Aug. 8 letter to the synod, but said he would not comment about the case.
Schmeling will remain pastor of St. John's until a decision is made. The review could take months.