Berlin, Germany, Jun 17, 2008 / 19:38 pm
The Lutheran Church in Germany could elect its first openly homosexual bishop, prompting claims that the move would alienate many Christians and open new divisions in the Lutheran Church.
Horst Gorski, a senior cleric from Hamburg, being considered for the post of bishop of Schleswig in northern Germany against Gerhard Ulrich, a senior cleric from the Schleswig area, according to Reuters. The post will become vacant in September.
According to Reuters, Gorski is a widely respected theologian who has helped set up a center for gay and lesbian Lutheran pastors.
Critics of Gorski’s candidacy argue his election as a bishop would alienate many German Christians.