Buddhists offered chants about peace and an end to suffering. Imam Omar Shaheed of Masjid as-Salaam, a Muslim mosque off Monticello Road, recited a verse from the Quran that included the words, “O people! We created you from a male and a female, made you into nations and tribes, that you may recognize one another.”

Ray’s decision affects the pending wedding of his own daughter, Catherine, who had planned to be married at St. Thomas’s. She and her future husband have decided to support him by having a civil ceremony instead.

Ray has not responded to several Register requests for comment. But in an interview he granted with The New York Times, he acknowledged he is gay and that he and his wife separated in 1986. They are now divorced.

Contrary to the claim that your priests’ ministry has been abandoned, we affirm and rejoice that the gospel has not only continued to be preached, but that the mission of your churches has grown. Our congregations and clergy in Canada have indeed been faithful and fruitful. We are grateful for all that you have achieved over the last 12 months and pray for more growth in the future.

The 14-member task force pronounced itself conflicted and unable to agree about how the ELCA should proceed.

What emerged in their report -- released at church headquarters in Chicago -- was a compromise in which congregations could hire homosexual clergy without making this the official policy in the 4.9-million-member denomination.

The compromise came as three recommendations: