A retired United Methodist bishop is facing formal complaints over a gay wedding he performed in Alabama.
A church statement says complaints have been filed against Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, who conducted the wedding ceremony for two men in October. The statement says Talbert is accused of violating his "sacred trust" as a bishop by performing the ceremony.
The denomination doesn't allow its ministers to hold same-sex weddings, so Talbert married the men at another church in Birmingham. Since Alabama doesn't recognize same-sex weddings, the men were previously wed legally in Washington, D.C.
Talbert declined comment on the complaints.
One of the men, Joe Openshaw, says he hopes the complaint is dismissed.
Last week, similar charges were dropped against a retired Methodist minister who presided at his son's same-sex wedding.