Controversy Over Participation in Interfaith Service

July 6, 2002

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/07/06/MN157497.DTL

On July 6, 2002, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Rev. David Benke, "a high-ranking Lutheran pastor, has been suspended from his duties and ordered to apologize to all Christians for participating with Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus in an interfaith prayer service in New York's Yankee Stadium after Sept. 11... Supporters of... Benke say he will appeal his suspension as a district president... in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod... If he does not apologize or appeal by Wednesday, he will automatically be removed from the Missouri Synod's clergy."