Gay and lesbian clergy are finding their way into churches across the country more than ever. Associate Professor of Religion at Hastings College, Reverend Doctor David B. McCarthy said, "There have been gay and lesbian clergy for millennia, as long as there have been clergy."
Rev. Dr. McCarthy has been chaplain at Hastings College for 7 years. He says though gay and lesbian clergy have become more accepted, it's still controversial because of an individual's interpretation of readings.
"There are passages talking about the different times they are written, or do they extend more broadly to people in different times and different cultures, that's the crux of the disagreement many Christians have today," Rev. Dr. McCarthy explained.
In 2004, Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop to be ordained by the Episcopal Church. Presbyteries in at least 5 states have ordained gay ministers, and Evangelical Lutherans are urged to accept gay and lesbian clergy.
"In general the denominations that tend to be more accepting are the United Church of Christ, or the Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ, and the Unitarian Association. Others are still facing the issue," Rev. Dr. McCarthy described.
Father Mike McDonald of Kearney says it's a subject that Catholics have just started to deal with when a man enters the priesthood.
"He's called to live a celibate life, and called to be a service to the church, his sexual preference is less important than his call to the ministry and celibacy in the Catholic Church," said Father McDonald with the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney.
While in a predominantly conservative state, Doctor McCarthy believes that people will become more understanding.
"As Nebraskans find out that gays and lesbians aren't strangers, they're brothers, sisters, they're cousins, sons and daughters that Nebraskans will come to understand that gays and lesbians are people that they already love and accept and I think it will make a big difference to the world," Rev. Dr. McCarthy concluded.
McCarthy adds that it's a generational issue, and younger people who haven't grown up with prejudices can be more understanding.
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