US Presbyterian Church ordains openly gay minister

The US Presbyterian Church has officially ordained a 56-year-old Wisconsin man as its first openly gay minister.

Scott Anderson of Madison was ordained yesterday at Covenant Presbyterian Church during a ceremony attended by hundreds of supporters.

He said he never thought the day would come, and told WISC-TV he was humbled and grateful for the opportunity.

Mr Anderson served as a minister in Sacramento, California, from 1983 to 1990.

He was in the closet, but when a couple threatened to reveal he was gay, he came out to his congregation and then resigned.

But the situation changed last year when the Presbyterian national assembly agreed to remove a ban on homosexuals serving as ministers, clearing the way for his ordination.

Supporter Nancy Enderle said the ordination was an "uplifting, joyful gathering".