This time the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church expelled a whole parish!!
10/08/2006
By
Juris Lavrikovs
On 9 August 2006, the chapter of clergy (Kapituls in Latvian) of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (LELC) unanimously decided to exclude a whole parish of the Reformation Brothers from the LELC. This particular parish was lead by Rev. Juris Calitis who was already excluded from the LELC last November for supporting LGBT people and their rights and participation in a ceremony lead by Sun Myung Moon during his visit to Latvia.
Pavils Bruvers, Deputy Archbishop of the LELC said that the parish’s activities were incompatible with the membership of the LELC.
Last summer Juris Calitis allowed the Pride church service to take part in the Anglican Church of Riga and he also took part in the service. Juris Calitis became a vocal advocate for discussion and supporter of LGBT people in Latvia.
When Juris Calitis was excluded from the LELC the Reformation Brothers parish came out with a statement that excluding J.Calitis the whole parish is excluded from the LELC. Despite the exclusion J.Calitis continued servicing at the Reformation brothers parish.
Pavils Bruvers said that a few meeting took place between the Presidium of the LELC and the Reformation Brothers parish and its individual members and that the parish members said they want to stay Lutherans. However Bruvers also said that one of the conditions for them to remain Lutherans is to have an ordained pastor of the LELC. At the same time on 11 June 2006 the reformation Brothers parish unanimously voted for Juris Calitis as their pastor.
Decision of the chapter of clergy to exclude the reformation Brother parish is not possible to challenge.
The leading Latvian daily “Diena” writes that such decision was expected by the parish. “Obviously we are an obstacle and inconvenient parish” said Sandra Dzenite, chairwoman of the parish, to “Diena. Juris Calitis said that there is diversity of opinion within the LELC and many pastors are afraid to state their stance as it does not comply with the official stance of the LELC.
The Reformation Brothers parish said they will continue operate as before but they are concerned that the LELC might throw they out from the current parish venue which legally is a property of the LELC.
Pavils Bruvers, Deputy Archbishop of the LELC said that the parish’s activities were incompatible with the membership of the LELC.
Last summer Juris Calitis allowed the Pride church service to take part in the Anglican Church of Riga and he also took part in the service. Juris Calitis became a vocal advocate for discussion and supporter of LGBT people in Latvia.
When Juris Calitis was excluded from the LELC the Reformation Brothers parish came out with a statement that excluding J.Calitis the whole parish is excluded from the LELC. Despite the exclusion J.Calitis continued servicing at the Reformation brothers parish.
Pavils Bruvers said that a few meeting took place between the Presidium of the LELC and the Reformation Brothers parish and its individual members and that the parish members said they want to stay Lutherans. However Bruvers also said that one of the conditions for them to remain Lutherans is to have an ordained pastor of the LELC. At the same time on 11 June 2006 the reformation Brothers parish unanimously voted for Juris Calitis as their pastor.
Decision of the chapter of clergy to exclude the reformation Brother parish is not possible to challenge.
The leading Latvian daily “Diena” writes that such decision was expected by the parish. “Obviously we are an obstacle and inconvenient parish” said Sandra Dzenite, chairwoman of the parish, to “Diena. Juris Calitis said that there is diversity of opinion within the LELC and many pastors are afraid to state their stance as it does not comply with the official stance of the LELC.
The Reformation Brothers parish said they will continue operate as before but they are concerned that the LELC might throw they out from the current parish venue which legally is a property of the LELC.
