A Methodist minister ousted and then reinstated after performing his son's gay marriage says the church is appealing his refrocking.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer says he is disappointed to learn of the appeal, but not surprised.
Schaefer is moving to a California diocese this week after his decision to officiate at his son's 2007 same-sex marriage thwarted his church career in Pennsylvania.
He has since become a gay rights activist.
In a statement Friday, he says he hopes the church's Judicial Council will decline to take up the appeal from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
Schaefer says he prays for an outcome that would help "heal ... the wounds of homophobia.''
The church counsel, the Rev. Christopher Fisher of Schuylkill Haven, did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
