Video: Gay marriage pastor defrocked

A pastor in Philadelphia has been 'defrocked' after he performed a secret same-sex wedding ceremony.

Reverend Frank Schaefer lost his powers as a pastor when he was discovered to have performed a gay wedding for his son. He refused to vow that he would never conduct another same-sex marriage again and has been temporarily stripped of his powers.

Schaefer said he was "visibly shaken" after learning his was to lose his powers, adding "what I did was an act of love for my son". 

"Now that I feel the effect of those exclusionary policies, finding myself outside of the church, outside of my calling as minister of this church, it doesn't feel good."

The United Methodist Church board has suspended him for 30 days and ordered to resign if he can't uphold church discipline.