In a historic move in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, the United Methodist Church lifted its 40-year ban on gay clergy.
The church has long contested the issue, having divided into factions and splitting the church in two over its position on homosexuality and gay clergy.
Since 1984, the church has held the ban on clergy members who were "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" and later included performing or celebrating same-sex unions on a "list of chargeable offenses that could result in a church trial," according to a timeline of the church's history per CNN News.
Wednesday's vote signaled a pronounced adjustment in the United Methodist Church's outlook on homosexuality.
The church's legislative body passed multiple rules without objection, including overturning both its ban on gay clergy and the penalties for holding same-sex marriages in an overwhelming 692-51 vote.
In a post on X, Pastor Matt Patrick expressed his delight over the momentous transformation, writing,
"This morning I cried... because a fight I've been in for so long found justice."
"We are no longer saying that being gay is a sin, and we no longer ban LGBTQ people from serving as ministers... Praise be to God."
Church members, overcome with joy, cheered, cried, and hugged following the outcome.
Marilyn Murphy, an observer from the church's South Carolina conference, told the United Methodist News service,
"We've been going on like this since the '70s, and, finally, in just a brief few minutes with no debate, it was gone. And now we can get on with the business of the church."
Additional revisions are expected as the legislative conference continues.
