wfn.org | Judge dismisses Interfaith Impact case

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (157
notes).

Note 157 by UMNS on June 13, 1997 at 15:45 Eastern (3747 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

Contact:  Joretta Purdue                          345(10-71B){157}
          Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722           June 13, 1997

Judge dismisses case
against Interfaith Impact

     WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge here has
dismissed the case against former board members of the Interfaith
Impact for Justice and Peace, that included several staff members
of boards of the United Methodist Church.
     The decision settles a case involving personnel matters
arising out of the termination of all paid staff by the
interreligious coalition in 1995. 
     The reduction in force was attributable to the organization's
financial difficulties, explained Jane Hull Harvey, assistant
general secretary of the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society and one of the co-defendants. 
     Bell v. Ivory was brought by the Rev. James M. Bell, former
executive director of the organization. Harvey had been
chairperson of the Interfaith Impact board at the time the staff
was dismissed.
     Anna Rhee, director of the Washington Office of United
Methodist Women, Board of Global Ministries, was a co-defendant.
Also named were the present or past heads of Washington offices of
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), United Church of Christ and
American Baptist Church -- plus the entire board of directors --
and several employees of the Louisville office of the Presbyterian
church.
     Bell alleged intentional interference with contract, breach
of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with
prospective advantage, wrongful termination, intentional
infliction of emotional distress and defamation.
     In his 19-page decision, Judge Stanley Sporkin wrote,
"Regardless of how many declarations, depositions and documents
plaintiff provides to this court, his claims cannot be sustained
because the evidence found in them does not support the
allegations in his complaint."
     The judge went on to state that even if the plaintiff's
version of disputed facts were used, the picture of an
organization "in great financial despair" was clear. Bell, along
with a lot of other people, lost his job incidental to the virtual
collapse of the organization, the judge summarized.
     "While this may be unfortunate, it cannot justify this
protracted litigation," Sporkin continued. He said the plaintiff
wanted the court to award "tenure" that would survive even a
reduction in force dictated by severe financial reversal, but that
the court "cannot and will not" do that.
     In a written statement issued June 13, Harvey said, "Today we
are grateful for the judge's decision and thankful for the 27
years of faithful service that Interfaith Impact for Justice and
Peace and its predecessor organizations have provided to lift the
voices of Jews, Muslims and Christians -- Roman Catholic and
Protestant -- in the public policy arena."
     She also praised the work of the two lawyers provided without
charge by the law firm of Morgan, Lewis and Bockius, LLP, and the
encouragement of many supporters across the country.
     Bell began litigation in 1995.
     His related suit against the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the Women's
Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and
the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. was dismissed by the
Eastern District of Virginia in January 1996 on First Amendment
grounds. His appeal on that case was heard April 10, 1997, but no
decision has been issued.
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