CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy. After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations. That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans. |
Immersive Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in ShanghaiEgyptian, Chinese students mark UN Chinese Language Day in CairoA bomb attack in northern Kenya kills 5 people near the border with SomaliaUN Chinese Language Day celebrated in TunisiaEntire mall in Georgia is closed after 'shots are fired insideNot just for trolls! FourProgram to boost cultural exchanges between China and FranceChinese ballet to illuminate Dutch stadiumChina's NEVs powering up to lead global sustainability chargePresident Xi on global, regional security