In 2007, Frank Schaefer did what a loving father should do: he supported his son. But his gesture of support, officiating his son's marriage to another man in Massachusetts, cost him his position as a United Methodist pastor in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania this past December. A member of the congregation of the Zion United Methodist Church of Iona lodged a complaint with church officials who confronted Schaefer about it. Unapologetic, during the subsequent clergy court proceedings, he refused to say that he would not officiate another same sex marriage which lead to his defrocking. Schaefer filed an appeal, and as of yesterday, the panel reinstated his credentials. Rev. Schaefer will not return to his previous post but instead has been transferred to a congregation in Southern California. While his reinstatement is good news, Pennsylvania is losing out on an open-minded faith leader with compassion and integrity.
also see yesterday's spectacular interview on The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell
WGAL has a nifty timeline too
WFMZ segment from November 2013
Official United Methodist Church Statement