gay ordination and the blessing of same-sex unions by 503 against to 490 in favor. On 21 August 2009, the ELCA voted 559 to 451 in favor of allowing non-celibate LGBTQ+ persons in committed monogamous relationships to become ordained ministers. Another motion passed at the 2009 Assembly directed its leaders to develop a rite of blessing for same-sex unions. In 2013, the ELCA elected Guy Erwin as their first openly gay bishop. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), the second largest Lutheran church body in the United States, does not permit same-sex marriage and does not ordain homosexuals. The LCMS Synodical President Matthew Harrison was present to register the objections of the LCMS to the ordination of homosexuals at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2009. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), the third largest Lutheran church body in the United States, does not permit same-sex marriage and does not ordain homosexuals. Canada In 2006, Lionel Ketola became the first person in a same-sex marriage to be appointed vicar (intern) of an Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) congregation. This occurred at Newmarket, Ontario. Later that year, the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC voted to allow a "local option" for blessing same-sex unions. The national church, which had previously rejected such a proposal, proceeded to assert that it alone had the authority to make such a decision. The National Church Council agreed in a September ruling, but promised to bring forward another motion authorizing the local option for approval at the 2007 National Convention. In 2011, the National Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada approved a motion that allows rostered ministers to "preside at or bless legal marriages according to the laws of the province within which they serve". Since same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada in 2005 through the Civil Marriage Act this permitted ELCIC clergy to bless same-sex marriages. This same motion also permitted the ordination of openly-gay pastors and blessing of clergy in same-sex relationships. At the same convention, the ELCIC issued a statement on human sexuality. This statement recognizes the diversity of sexual orientations and advocates for inclusion of all people within the church. Europe Most Lutheran and united state churches in Germany, Lutheranism's country of origin, are liberal, viewing homosexuality as moral and allow gay and lesbian clergy. Most of the Lutheran and united churches in Germany are blessing same-sex unions. In general, some churches