Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Lutheran Seminary Fires President Over ‘Conversion Therapy'

United Lutheran Seminary fires Rev. Theresa Latini in decision they say will not satisfy everyone

The board of trustees at a prominent Lutheran seminary in Pennsylvania has voted to fire the school's president after it was revealed she worked for a group that promoted "conversion therapy."

United Lutheran Seminary said in a letter posted to its website Wednesday it had fired the Rev. Theresa Latini.

In the letter, the board says Latini's "ongoing tenure would present a significant obstacle to moving forward."

Bishop James Dunlop, of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will serve as acting president.

The Philadelphia Inquirer previously reported Latini worked as a director for OnebyOne for five years starting in 1996.

The group promoted a therapy that attempts to change sexual orientation or how people identify their gender.

Latini told PennLive.com Wednesday she has been "scapegoated by a historically divided institution."

Eight members of the board have resigned in connection with the revelations that angered students and staff.

The remaining board realizes the firing of Latini won't appease everyone.

"We recognize that this decision will not satisfy many of our constituencies, but our responsibility as a board is to make decisions that we believe will best strengthen and sustain ULS," they said.

Copyright The Associated Press
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