DALLAS -- The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) is losing its largest church following a vote by members to sever ties with the denomination.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Cathedral of Hope voted 977 to 140 to leave the fellowship. The vote came two weeks after Michael Piazza turned over his pastor's credentials in order to end the denomination's investigation of him for possible financial mismanagement.
With 3,000 members, the church is considered to be the world's largest homosexual church. It dwarfed other MCC congregations, most with fewer than 300 members.
Piazza was not available for comment, but the newspaper reported he urged the break even prior to the investigation, which was launched four months ago because of a complaint filed by a former cathedral board member.
The allegations involved the church's insurance, Piazza's expense account and his oversight of money being raised for a $40 million complex, the newspaper reported. He has denied any wrongdoing.
With the break, Piazza's duties will be virtually unchanged. He will assume a new title of cathedral dean.
