CHICAGO (AP) -- Leaders of the 5.2 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have decided to press ahead on a unity pact with the Episcopal Church despite some opposition.

The Church Council, which sets policy between sessions of the Lutherans' national assembly, also asked the denominational staff to consider whether exceptions should be allowed to a 1990 ban on clergy same-sex behavior and report back in November. The issue arose when the St. Paul, Minn., region requested a waiver for a lesbian clergy candidate.The council rejected a separate proposal for a study on whether to ordain gay and lesbian clergy who are not committed to celibacy.

Though the latter study -- under consideration since the idea was proposed last year to the assembly -- was scuttled, the council called for "deliberate and prayerful conversations" through 2003 on the inclusion of gays and lesbian in church life.

On Episcopal Church relations, the council directed that a comprehensive unity pact approved by last year's assembly go into effect next Jan. 1 if the Episcopal Church gives its assent at a July convention. Lutheran opponents of the pact had asked for delay.

The council also stated that regional units are not free to accept or reject parts of the Episcopal pact, as opponents had requested. There could be further discussions about bypassing rules on clergy ordination "in unusual circumstances and with appropriate consultation," the council said.

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Opponents, who say the pact violates Lutheran tradition by following the Episcopal concept of bishops, met March 26-29 to organize the WordAlone Network.

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