Update: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Dismisses Charges Against David Benke

May 12, 2003

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47260-2003May12.html

On May 12, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod announced yesterday that it has dismissed all charges against a high-ranking pastor who had been suspended for praying with 'pagans' in an interfaith service at New York's Yankee Stadium after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001... The Rev. David Benke, 57, said the dispute was 'a lesson in how absolutism, no matter where it comes from, ends up hurting people...' After eight months under suspension, Benke returned to work yesterday afternoon as president -- the equivalent of a bishop in the Missouri Synod -- of the Atlantic District. The Missouri Synod has 2.6 million members and is the ninth-largest Protestant denomination in the United States."