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A United Methodist pastor who was defrocked because she is living in a lesbian relationship said she will appeal the verdict, in part to force the church to confront its deep divisions over homosexuality.

Irene “Beth” Stroud was stripped of her ministerial credentials in a church trial on December 2 after she was found guilty of violating a church ban on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. She remains a paid staff member at First United Methodist Church of Germantown in Philadelphia.