SALT LAKE CITY — The group Ordain Women said the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had denied an appeal of founder Kate Kelly’s excommunication.
The announcement was made in a post on Ordain Women’s website early Saturday.
“I am disappointed in the outcome, but not surprised since the disciplinary process has been entirely opaque and inequitable from the get-go,” Kelly said in a statement posted on the website. “Fortunately, men do not control my happiness, nor do they control my connection to God. I am proud of what I have done. I am proud of the women and men who have taken a stand with me in this struggle for gender justice. We will continue to act with integrity and courage. Mormon women and their legitimate concerns cannot be swept under the rug or summarily dismissed by one ‘Court of Love.'”
Kelly, one of the founders of Ordain Women, was excommunicated from the LDS Church last year for “apostasy.” Her group has pushed for women in the Mormon faith to have the priesthood. Kelly and supporters have tried to sit in the men’s priesthood session at LDS General Conference, as well as been outspoken proponents of women’s ordination.
Most recently, “Mormon Stories” podcaster John Dehlin was excommunicated by the LDS Church for apostasy. He has said it stems from his support of same-sex marriage and women’s ordination.
