Rev. Lee Dong-hwan was expelled from the denomination for conducting a blessing ceremony for LGBTQ+ congregants at the Queer Culture Festival. Should the spaces available for LGBTQ+ congregants be limited?
English Translation: Juyeon
Translation review: 지니ㅣ
Writer of the original text: 레이
Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel
In August of 2019, during the 2nd IQCF, a remarkable scene unfolded. In contrast to the first IQCF, which was hindered by active interference from conservative Christian circles and did not proceed smoothly, the participation of Christian ministers was prominent. At that time, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan of the Methodist Church, along with Rev. Im Bo-ra from the Presbyterian Church and Father Kim Timothy from the Catholic Church, ascended the stage. They performed a gesture of blessing for LGBTQ+ Christians by showering them with flower petals, symbolizing hospitality (Image 1). When this news spread, demands for the punishment of Rev. Lee Dong-hwan emerged among conservative Methodist ministers. The Chungcheong Conference’s Committee on Homosexuality and the “Pastors’ Gathering for a Healthy Society in Incheon” reported Rev. Lee Dong-hwan to the Gyeonggi Conference, to which he belonged. Subsequently, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan was brought to trial by the Gyeonggi Conference’s disciplinary committee. After about two years of fluctuating church trials, in October of last year, he was ultimately sentenced to a two-year suspension. However, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan did not yield to this decision and, in 2021, participated in the Incheon Queer Culture Festival and in the 2022 Seoul Queer Culture Festival, where he conducted blessing ceremonies.
Expelled solely for blessing sexual minorities
In addition to a two-year suspension, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan faced further accusations in June of this year. He was reported by seven elders and ministers from the anti-LGBTQ faction of the Methodist Church, alleging him of “supporting and sympathizing with homosexuality.” This charge was introduced in 2017 without significant public debate or legislative process. It was added to Article 3, Section 8 of the Methodist Church law, equating homosexuality with serious crimes like drug offenses and gambling, leading to its categorization as a socially grave offense. This amendment has been a subject of ongoing controversy and debate since its inception.
Utilizing this provision, the Gyeonggi Conference Disciplinary Committee of the Methodist Church pronounced the expulsion in a recent verdict trial held on December 8th at the Gyeonggi Conference headquarters. Despite a prior disciplinary verdict, the aggravated penalty was imposed due to Rev. Lee Dong-hwan conducting a similar blessing ceremony. This marks the first instance in 31 years, since the expulsion decision in 1992, that a Methodist pastor has been expelled for doctrinal reasons within the denomination. The expulsion decision represents the highest level of disciplinary action, disqualifying the individual not only from pastoral duties but also denying recognition as a Methodist believer.
Rev. Lee Dong-hwan, in a press conference following his decision to leave the church, stated, “When I looked up the word ‘출교’ (chulgyo) [leaving the church], I found that it means “excommunication,” which implies cutting off communication. That’s exactly how I felt throughout the trial. Perhaps they already had no intention of communicating. It's truly regrettable and disheartening,” he said. “Those who branded them as sinners are connected to each other. We will create more connections through love and friendship. Our connections will become lines and surfaces, eventually building a home. In the end, we dream of a Methodist church, a Korean church like that. The current decision to leave the church cannot prevent that dream from coming true," he said, concluding, “Love will ultimately prevail.”
Many supporters of Rev. Lee Dong-hwan have criticized the trial decision. The “Committee for Joint Measures Against the Trial of Rev. Lee Dong-hwan for Blessing Prayers for Sexual Minorities” stated, “Declaring excommunication for a pastor who respects and dignifies sexual minorities as members of the congregation is a direct rejection of Jesus’ teachings. Declaring excommunication for blessing prayers for sexual minorities and voluntary activities for pastoral care, activities that have been carried out for decades or a lifetime together with sexual minority Christians, is a declaration of expulsion from the church and denomination's boundaries. It has caused irreversible wounds to sexual minority Christians and numerous faithful Christians, not to mention its detrimental impact.” In addition, the legal team announced that they would proceed with a lawsuit challenging the invalidity of the decision, arguing that the Methodist Church law and the verdict were flawed and seeking a suspension of its effects through civil law.
Where do sexual minority parishioners find solace?
The background of Rev. Lee Dong-hwan's participation in queer cultural festivals and conducting blessing rallies for sexual minorities is deeply connected to the difficulties faced by sexual minority parishioners. In an interview after facing disciplinary action in 2020, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan shared, “A friend of mine, while registered at the church and engaging in religious life, came out. Before that, I was also close to homophobia.” Through further study, he realized, “The attitude we should adopt became clear to me as I saw the hospitality spirit flowing through the Old Testament and the life of Jesus in the New Testament. When a presence I conceptually knew appeared before my eyes, my perception broadened. I am truly grateful that this person believed in me and came out to me.” He added, “It was cautious to be the first in our church to talk about such matters. Gradually, as we had conversations and, above all, built a trusting relationship, we could respect each other's stories. Just as there needs to be a process of listening and discussing sexual minorities in a safe space without blindly harboring hatred, even such discussions can be painful for the parties involved. Sexual minority parishioners within the church have likely experienced a lot of pain through such processes. It must be even more challenging to receive discriminatory glances in what is supposedly an open church but still unprepared to accept certain aspects.”
In this way, sexual minority parishioners consistently experience the challenge of receiving discriminatory glances in the faith space of the church. As a result, some choose to attend churches where only sexual minorities gather, while others seek out churches that function as safe havens from the outset. Additionally, sexual minority parishioners who have not disclosed their identity receive baptism and communion just like other ordinary parishioners within the church. If they were to reveal their identity, would their baptism and communion become invalid, similar to the disciplinary action Rev. Lee Dong-hwan received?
The 2nd Incheon Queer Culture Festival in 2019, where Rev. Lee Dong-hwan held a blessing rally, holds special significance for sexual minorities. The 1st Incheon Queer Culture Festival was thwarted by violent incidents from anti-LGBT Christian forces and could not be properly held. Amidst this, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan’s participation demonstrated that the Christian community can be “inclusive” rather than “hateful,” providing significant support to sexual minority parishioners present at the event. After the excommunication decision, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan expressed on social media, “Even if the denomination may cast me out, they cannot take away the dream we are building together. Love does not disappear. In the end, love will prevail.” This firmly criticizes the denomination's decision to excommunicate, and the denomination must be aware of the presence of many sexual minority parishioners within the Methodist Church. Ultimately, there is confidence that love will triumph.
English Translation: Juyeon
Translation review: 지니ㅣ
Writer of the original text: 레이
Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel
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