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Lutherans approve gay unions in certain circumstances
But a measure sanctioning non-celebate gay clergy fails
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted Friday to allow the blessing of same-sex unions under certain circumstances but rejected a measure to allow non-celebate gay clergy.

After slightly watering down the language of an already ambiguously worded resolution that repeated the denomination's official prohibition of blessing same sex unions, delegates to the biennial churchwide assembly voted 670-323 to approve the measure.

Friday's vote at the Orlando World Convention Center Marriott came as an afternoon thunderstorm flickered the lights in the hotel ballroom.

Throughout the spirited debates advocates at both ends of the spectrum tried to make the resolutions on homosexuality more specific.

Some wanted the denomination to explicitly permit blessing same sex unions; others wanted the blessings categorically prohibited. All but one of these amendments and substitute motions failed, with 30% - 40% support. The lone exception was an amendment that removed the words "same-sex couples," without altering the effect of the resolutions.

Later, a protest developed when a motion that would have removed all barriers to gay clergy in the pulpit failed by a 617-374 margin. About 100 members of Goodsoil, a coalition of gay and gay supporting groups, filed silently to the front of the ballroom and stood in front of the podium, to the chagrin of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and many delegates.

The demonstrators, wearing rainbow sashes and white T-shirts, held signs as delegates debated what to do next.

There are about 4.9 million members of the Protestant denomination.