Los Angeles:Dozens of United Methodist Church ministers in California reportedly are defying church rules and performing wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples.

The Los Angeles Times reports that pastors in Santa Monica, Claremont, Walnut Creek and other cities already have performed ceremonies or are planning to do so, even though they face defrocking.

Another 82 UM pastors in Northern California who are retired have offered to perform weddings on behalf of ministers who want to obey church rules but believe same-sex couples have a right to marry.

The denomination is the largest Protestant church in the US with some 11-million members.

The two bishops who oversee the United Methodist Church in California - Mary Ann Swenson and Beverly J. Shamana - are cautioning pastors they could face a church trial and lose their jobs.