wfn.org | Committee upholds Dell verdict; adjusts suspension

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 20, 1999	News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-21-71B{477}

By United Methodist News Service

An appeals committee has decided to uphold the suspension of a United
Methodist pastor for performing a same-sex union but limit the term of that
suspension.

The decision was released to principles in the case on Sept. 17 and was the
result of an Aug. 9 hearing at the O'Hare Radisson Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. 

The denomination's North Central Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals ruled
that the Rev. Gregory Dell - who was then pastor of Broadway United
Methodist Church in Chicago - had committed a chargeable offense under
church law, as determined at a church trial last March. "In sum, the
Committee finds that the verdict was supported by clear and convincing
evidence and was well within the discretion of the Trial Court," the
decision said.

However, the committee disagreed with the indefinite suspension placed upon
Dell as a penalty. "The Trial Court's failure to specify a finite period of
time for the suspension is found to be an error of church law allowing the
Committee to vitiate (invalidate) the penalty and impose a penalty which is
not 'higher' than that imposed by the Trial Court," the decision said. 

In fixing the suspension from July 5, 1999, to June 30, 2000, the committee
said it found Dell's intentional violation of the church's mandate to be a
"very serious infraction." It also agreed with the trial court that the
suspension could be lifted if Dell submits a document to his bishop stating
he will comply with the section of the United Methodist Book of Discipline
that prohibits pastors from conducting same-sex union ceremonies.

In a prepared statement, Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, Northern Illinois
Conference, said the "clear and reasoned decision...both affirms due process
and the verdict and alleviates the uncertainty that the prior sentence
imposed on Greg Dell, Broadway United Methodist Church, and all others
affected."

The Rev. Stephen Williams, who served as church counsel against Dell, said
in a Sept. 20 interview that he considered it important that the committee
upheld the verdict and repudiated the argument that the March trial court
lacked "clear and convincing evidence" to make its decision.

He also believes a precedent was set in terms of the adjusted suspension
time. "A one-year suspension from ministry is not, in my opinion, a light
sentence," he added.

But while Williams "applauds" the appeals committee decision, he is not sure
he concurs with its opinion that an indefinite suspension is an error of
church law. On that basis, he will "prayerfully consider" an appeal to the
Judicial Council.

The Rev. Larry Pickens, who served as counsel for Dell, said the decision
"reflects the quandary the church is in" regarding the issue of same-sex
union ceremonies and thinks the adjusted suspension "was probably the best
that we could do."

Dell himself agreed the decision "did correct the most obvious error of
church law" but did not change his own dilemma of needing to be "in full
ministry with all of the people I serve."

The pastor said that, if asked, he would perform a same-sex union ceremony
in the future, provided the couple met the standards of commitment he
imposes on heterosexual couples. "That would leave me liable to the charge
again," he acknowledged.

The real issue, in Dell's opinion, is not about the ceremonies themselves
but whether the denomination is willing to stop punishing pastors and engage
in dialogue despite the strong differences of opinion.

Next May, the issue of same-sex unions is expected to be addressed in
Cleveland during the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination's
top legislative body. Dell was elected as a General Conference delegate by
his annual conference but cannot be seated or have voice or vote because of
the suspension.

The Rev. Phylemon Titus Jr. of Detroit is chairman of the North Central
Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals. Other committee members who participated
in the hearing were Ethel Johnson, West Ohio Conference; the Rev. Joyce
Alford, Wisconsin Conference; the Rev. Thomas Brennan, Minnesota Conference;
the Rev. Terry Clark, Illinois-Great Rivers Conference; Sharon Caine,
Dakotas Conference; Barbara Gurtler, Illinois-Great Rivers; and Shurmaine
McAlpine, Iowa Conference.

______________
United Methodist News Service
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