NEW YORK -- A Lutheran pastor suspended for praying publicly with clergymen of other faiths has been reinstated by a church panel, The Associated Press reported.

In an order dated April 10 and released May 12, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's dispute resolution panel cleared the Rev. David H. Benke of any wrongdoing. Benke was suspended in June (see related story, Pastor suspended for role in interfaith prayer service) for participating in an interfaith service at Yankee Stadium 12 days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

After the televised event, 18 pastors and three congregations filed complaints against Benke, president of the Synod's Atlantic District, which encompasses 41,000 baptized church members, mainly in the New York region.

According to AP, in his appearance at Yankee Stadium, Benke shared the stage with a Muslim imam, a rabbi, Cardinal Edward M. Egan, and Sikh and Hindu holy men. Oprah Winfrey, Bette Midler and several elected officials were also on stage.

Last month, the three-member Synod panel found Benke's prayer was Christian and restored him to good standing with the church. It also found the Rev. Wallace Schulz, second vice president of the Missouri Synod, followed church protocol in handing down Benke's suspension.

At the time of his suspension, Benke was told to apologize to all Christians for his participation in the interfaith prayer, but has refused to do so.

AP reported a message left at Benke's church seeking comment went unanswered.