On Thursday, the United Methodist Church defrocked a lesbian minister, the Reverend Elizabeth Stroud of Germantown, Pennsylvania. This was the first such step by the Church in 17 years, reflecting its law that bars ""self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from ministry. Convicted by a 12-1 vote and defrocked by a 7-6 majority, Stroud may still perform other duties for her congregation.
Leaving aside the fundamental issues of fairness, homophobia and church doctrine for church members themselves to debate, today's developments do raise an interesting question:
What does President Bush, the nation's number one Methodist, think of all this?
Despite frequently chillin' with his evangelical homeboys and his other American Taliban peeps, Bush himself is a member of the United Methodists, as PBS noted before his first inauguration. Given his vocal support for the Federal Marriage Amendment, one would think he would be outspoken in defense of his Church.
It is more likely, though, that Bush will play duck and cover. After all, Bush is apparently not a regular church-goer himself and certainly does not pontificate (pun intended) on the meaning of his faith. Unlike his cynical courting of the Vatican in pursuit of Catholic votes, Bush in this case will probably avoid ruffling the feathers of his own flock.
UPDATE: On Friday, April 29th, the United Methodist Church reversed itself and reinstated Reverend Stroud.