The Pennsylvania United Methodist minister who officiated his gay son's wedding said on Monday that he won't let go of his credentials as a religious leader.
Reverend Frank Schaefer went to trial in the church last month, after performing the 2007 ceremony for his son in Massachusetts.
The 51-year-old pastor said he decided to preside over the same-sex union "because I love [my son] so much and didn't want to deny him that joy." But his decision directly conflicted with the Methodist church.
Schaefer told the Associated Press on Monday that he can't support the Book of Discipline because it contains biased, discriminatory material. He said he's unsure whether he'll be stripped of his credentials or not, but is slated to meet with higher-ups in the church on Thursday to discuss his fate in the ministry.
Schaefer was convicted last month, after standing trial for officiating his son's same-sex marriage. He received a 30-day suspension from the Pennsylvania church.
The United Methodist Church considers gay and lesbian members welcome in the faith, but homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." Religious leaders who perform gay unions could receive punishment as severe as dismissal from the ministry.
But for Schaefer, who said that he was answering God's call to love all, there's no reason why he should be punished.
"If I am charged to minister to all people, regardless of who they are and what they are, then it should be just so," he said in a November interview.
Members of the central Pennsylvania church currently pursuing Schaefer's case have not yet released a comment.
