NEW YORK -- A Lutheran pastor has been suspended and ordered to apologize to all Christians for taking part in an interfaith prayer service following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to the Washington Post.

The Rev. David Benke joined Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus during the Sept. 23 Prayer for America event in New York's Yankee Stadium. Benke is president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's New York district.

"By President Benke's joining with other pagan clerics in an interfaith service (no matter what the intent might have been), a crystal clear signal was given to others at the event and to thousands more watching by C-SPAN," the Rev. Wallace Schulz, the denomination's national second vice president, wrote in the suspension letter. "The signal was: While there may be differences as to how people worship or pray, in the end, all religions pray to the same God.

"To participate with pagans in an interfaith service and, additionally, to give the impression that there might be more than one God, is an extremely serious offense against the God of the Bible," the letter said.

Benke will be removed from the Missouri Synod's clergy if he does not apologize or appeal the ruling by July 10. The church ordered Benke not to talk about the dispute, according to the paper. Benke is expected to appeal, which could take six months or longer.

Twenty-one Missouri Synod pastors and congregations filed charges against Benke. The charges included mixing the beliefs of various Christian denominations and mixing Christian and non-Christian views, according to the paper. The denomination's 1847 constitution forbids both.