wfn.org | Decision Asked on Same-sex Union Ban

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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 (386
notes).

Note 385 by UMNS on Oct. 14, 1997 at 16:08 Eastern (3171 characters).

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally		 573(10-21-28-71B){385}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	Oct. 14, 1997

Affirmation leaders ask for judicial decision
on ban against homosexual union ceremonies

	NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)  Affirmation, an unofficial caucus of United
Methodists for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns is asking for
a declaratory decision on the "meaning, application and constitutionality" of
a churchwide ban on ceremonies celebrating homosexual unions.
	Following their meeting here Oct. 11-13, a 20-member National Council of
Affirmation, issued a call for the Council of Bishops to request such a
declaratory decision from the churchs Judicial Council.   
	The 1996 General Conference, top legislative body of the church, added a
sentence to the Social Principles saying "ceremonies that celebrate homosexual
unions shall not be  conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in
our churches."
	The first challenge to that position has come from the Rev. Jimmy Creech,
pastor of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, who performed a service of
union for two women Sept. 14.  A complaint, filed against Creech by a member
of his congregation, is being handled by Bishop Joel Martinez and other
Nebraska officials according to a detailed process spelled out in the churchs
Book of Discipline.  
	In a statement released by the National Council of Affirmation, spokesperson
Jeanne G. Knepper said the ban is "unclear, unconstitutional and
unenforceable.  In addition, it is unjust and denies vital ministry to some
members of the church." Key issue is the legal status of the Social
Principles.
	The Council of Bishops will be meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C., the first
week of November.  The next meeting of the Judicial Council following the
bishops meeting is scheduled for April 22-25 in Hershey, Pa.
	"If the church waits for appeals on the cases of Rev. Creech or others to
take the ban before the Judicial Council, it will be choosing the path of
greatest cost in money and time lost, confusion, ecclesiastical conflict,
injustice and negative media attention," the Affirmation leaders said.
	In other action, the council:
7 applauded the "leadership and courage" of Creech for openly testing the 1996
ban;
7 called on all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, to celebrate their
continuing commitments at United Methodist churches Valentines Day, 1998;
7 encouraged individuals to join a "Covenant Relationships Network (CORNET) to
encourage and support clergy who resist the ban;
7 called on all churches to make their facilities available for covenant
services;
7 asserted that celebration of covenantal relationships is an "essential form
of pastoral support" and called on all clergy to offer "full pastoral
ministries" to all members;
7 asked all United Methodists to "speak and act forthrightly with the Rev.
Jimmy Creech against the present injustice".
 

#  #  #

Contacts: Affirmation spokesperson: Jeanne G. Knepper (503) 760-4215; CORNET
http://www.umaffirm.org; Valentines Day celebration, the Rev. Judy WestLee,
JJWestLee@aol.com

 

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