Judicial Council Reconsiders

The United Methodist Judicial Council meets this coming week, and we shall learn if they are going to reconsider their decision 1032. As I see it, what is at stake is whether lesbian and gay persons in committed, same-gender relationships can even be members of the Church. Decision 1032 seems to suggest not only that pastors have a free hand to refuse baptism and membership to lesbians and gays, but that those who have membership might face charges before a church tribunal and have their membership removed by a church trial court--the concurring opinion of Judicial Council member Keith Boyette seems to say as much.

Here is some news from the United Methodist News Service about 75 lesbian and gay United Methodist pastors who have signed a letter protesting the Judicial Council's position. Here is another link to an article describing the briefs being considered by the Judicial Council as they weigh whether to revisit decision 1032.

It should be noted that the 75 pastors are having their actual names/identities held in confidence by an attorney. Some folks making comments in the blogosphere (for example, see Wesleyblog.com and comments posted there) are accusing these pastors of cowardice and of issuing an "anonymous" letter. I disagree. The letter is not anonymous--there are 75 real persons who have identified themselves to an attorney. They are forced to have their identities held in confidence by that attorney, because to be identified as gay or lesbian would bring an immediate end to their ministries. There voices in the church would be silenced, they would simply be cast out and shut out.

I believe their witness is a valuable one, because it reminds people that there are more than one or two lesbian UM clergy who have been tried and defrocked--there are many lesbian and gay UM clergy, many of whom who have been forced out of the ministry without "benefit" of a trial, and many of whom still quietly serve.