wfn.org | Bishops' salaries to begin at consecration

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

CLEVELAND (UMNS) - The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church ruled
that the General Conference could vote to start bishops' salaries at the
time of consecration in July rather than Sept. 1, when their assignments to
areas begin.

By a close vote, 448 to 428, delegates to the church's highest assembly
approved the change May 11. A delegate then questioned the constitutionality
of the action and asked for a referral to the denomination's supreme court.
The request received the necessary votes for referral.

The council's May 12 decision affirmed the constitutionality of the vote on
salaries.  

In a short memorandum, the council pointed out that the General Conference
is mandated to make plans for the support of the bishops. The council also
noted that such a proposal was congruent with one of its previous decisions.
Without a subsequent change in the church's rules and procedures, the
decision has not been negated, the council said.
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-- Joretta Purdue

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United Methodist News Service
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