Lutherans avoid sexuality clash for now
Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the outgoing president of the Lutheran World Federation, appealed to delegates at the LWF gathering in Germany to hold together and avoid splits in the face of differences over issues of sexuality. A key bishop from Tanzania, who opposes same-sex marriage, signaled early during the once-every-six-years meeting that the issue should be put on hold while churchwide consultations on sexuality continue.
Conflicts had surfaced between some churches from the African continent and Western churches on the role of homosexuals in the church. In recent months, the LWF's second-largest member church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, has stated its opposition to same-sex marriage and churches that support such unions.
The LWF president diverted from his prepared speech to delegates on the second day of the 11th Lutheran World Federation assembly, which met in Stuttgart July 20-27, to launch his appeal for unity. "I am deeply concerned that we are on the precipice of a time where the rich tradition of Lutheran theology is used to divide Lutherans among themselves," said Hanson.
