A United Methodist minister convicted under church law of performing his son's same-sex wedding ceremony could soon learn if he'll be defrocked.
A jury of his pastoral peers convicted the Rev. Frank Schaefer of breaking his vows by officiating the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts. The verdict came Monday night after a trial that has rekindled debate over the denomination's policies on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
The jury reconvenes Tuesday morning for the penalty phase, at which both sides will present witnesses. Schaefer could face punishment ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to losing his minister's credentials.
Schaefer didn't deny that he married his son, but said he did it out of love, not a desire to flout church teaching on homosexuality.
© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.