Methodist court ruling a blow for openly lesbian bishop

[TexasTowelie]

NEW YORK (AP) — The first openly lesbian bishop in the United Methodist Church can stay on the job for now, but she is subject to a disciplinary review that could lead to her removal, the top church court ruled Friday.

Bishop Karen Oliveto's civil marriage to another woman violates church law that bars clergy who are "self-avowed practicing homosexuals," the Judicial Council said. However, a decision over whether she can remain in the position must come from a separate disciplinary process, the court ruled.

Oliveto was elected last year to lead a Denver-area church region that is part of the Methodist Western Jurisdiction, which has rejected the denomination's position that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." Within minutes of her election, a challenge was filed by the Oklahoma-based South Central Jurisdiction, leading to Friday's ruling.

The case is the latest chapter in an intensifying fight over LGBT recognition that is fracturing the 12.8 million-member denomination — the third-largest faith group in the U.S. Earlier this week, bishops announced a special 2019 meeting of its top legislative body, or General Conference, expressly to address church law on sexuality and find ways the denomination can avoid schism.

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[AJT]

1. There will end up being a split.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Here's the thing. Churches are free to accept or not accept such things

as lesbians or gay men.

I am very torn, on a personal level, as to whether a person like her should stay in her church and fight this, or leave. My opinion really doesn't matter, since I'm not a Methodist. But I often tell people in the church I was raised in (and which denomination simply doesn't matter here) that they should seriously rethink staying in that church if they disagree with fundamental principles. Maybe, I say, if enough people leave this church over these issues, the church will finally get a clue. Meanwhile, in my opinion, if you stay, you are essentially supporting something you don't agree with.

I will also point out that I am a boring heterosexual, so on a personal level I don't seem to be vested in this case. However, I have a close relative who is a lesbian, and many, many gay and lesbian friends. So I hope I get this.