Nashville, USA - Thirty-three of the United Methodist Church's 85 retired bishops have signed a statement asking the church to reconsider its policy banning gays and lesbians from becoming ministers.
Retired bishop Don Ott wrote and distributed the statement along with retired bishop Sharon Rader. Ott said the idea came after he and Rader talked about having been troubled for a number of years by the policy.
Ott said the denomination has lost the talents of gays and lesbians who had the gift for ministry but could not serve. He has also seen straight church leaders and seminarians who have left the denomination because their consciences would not allow them to support the policy.
Ott hopes the statement that was released last week engages the church on the issue and influences next year's General Conference, the denomination's lawmaking body.