Nation in brief

Methodists reject homosexuality issue

Delegates at a United Methodist Church conference voted Tuesday to condemn homosexuality and to reject a statement saying Christians disagree on the issue.

Gay rights supporters wearing rainbow-hued stoles, or clerical scarves, stood throughout the emotional debate at a Pittsburgh convention center. One symbolically smashed an empty chalice at the end of a communion service after delegates voted 579-376 to declare, "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching."

Later, however, the church's highest court handed gay rights supporters a partial victory by ruling it does not have authority to overturn the acquittal of an openly lesbian minister, the Rev. Karen Dammann, by a jury of 13 Methodist clergy in Seattle in March.

The Judicial Council's 5-4 ruling said that in the future, Methodist ministers who are found in a church trial to be "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" cannot hold any appointment in the church. But it said the decision "shall be applied only prospectively" and does not affect Dammann.

The vote against homosexuality reaffirmed the stand taken at recent General Conferences, held every four years. But liberals in the 8.3-million member U.S. denomination had pushed for a statement recognizing that "Christians disagree on the compatibility of homosexuality with Christian teaching and affirm that God's grace is available to all."

WHITE HOUSE ENVOY RESIGNS: Otto Reich, White House special envoy for Latin America, said Tuesday he will leave to create his own consulting firm. Reich said he also plans to work on President Bush's re-election campaign.

KANSAS GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT FAILS: A proposed constitutional amendment declaring that Kansas recognizes marriage as only between one man and one woman failed Tuesday to win enough House support to submit it to voters. The vote was 79-45. The Senate adopted the proposal Saturday, 27-13.

FLIGHT GETS EXTRA SECURITY CHECKS: A daily United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Washington is getting extra security checks because of an unspecified threat. Steve Luckey, chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association's national security committee, said United sent a memo to pilots alerting them to the threat and the additional safety measures for Flight 200 to Dulles International Airport.

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