Page 6 - AT

A6 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 4 January 2020
Methodists propose split in gay marriage, clergy impasse

ferences are irreconcilable.
This is inevitable."
The Rev. Keith Boyette,
president of the Wesleyan
Covenant Association and
one of 16 people on the
mediation team that de-
veloped and signed the
separation proposal, said
he is "very hopeful" the plan
will be approved.
This is the first time that "re-
spected leaders of groups
from every constituency"
have come together to
form a plan, he said. "And
this is the first time that bish-
ops of the church have
signed on to an agreement
like this."
While other mainline Prot-
estant denominations have
embraced gay-friend-
ly practices, the United
Methodist Church has not,
though acts of defiance
by pro-LGBTQ clergy have
multiplied. Many have
performed same-sex wed-
dings; others have come
out as gay or lesbian from
the pulpit.
Texas Bishop Scott J. Jones
praised the panel for its
contribution to the ongoing
discussions about human
In this April 19, 2019, file photo, a gay pride rainbow flag flies along with the U.S. flag in front of the Asbury United Methodist Church sexuality but "it should be
in Prairie Village, Kan. emphasized that a state-
Associated Press ment by 16 leaders does
not necessarily mean that
By TRAVIS LOLLER and GARY impasse over LGBTQ issues ist churches in Colorado, marriage vowed to contin- its provisions will be adopt-
FIELDS was irreconcilable. The Montana, Utah, Wyoming ue fighting. Meanwhile the ed."
Associated Press next step could come at and a section of Idaho. Wesleyan Covenant Asso- "The Protocol itself says it
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — the church's General Con- Asked what a post-separa- ciation, representing tradi- was developed in service
United Methodist Church ference in May. tion world looks like for the tional Methodist practice, to the General Conference
leaders from around the Methodist Bishop Karen church to move forward, had already been prepar- delegates who will decide
world and across ideologi- Oliveto, the denomination's Oliveto said, "We are no ing for a possible separa- on its adoption or amend-
cal divides unveiled a plan first openly gay bishop, longer using LGBTQ people tion. ment. Other plans may well
Friday for a new conser- said the United Method- as scapegoats." Concern over the future of be considered as alterna-
vative denomination that ist Church leadership "was Members of the 13-million- the church pushed mem- tives," he said in a state-
would split from the church clearly at a point in which person denomination have bers, led by Bishop John ment.
in an attempt to resolve a we couldn't agree to dis- been at odds for years over Yambasu of Sierra Leone, "Significant questions re-
decades-long dispute over agree" over same-sex rela- the issue, with members in to convene a group to main to be answered
gay marriage and gay cler- tionships. "I'm actually really the United States leading share ideas across the about the Protocol's imple-
gy. sad that we couldn't build the call for full inclusion for theological spectrum. mentation. The Judicial
The proposal, called "A a bridge that could have LGBTQ people. New York Bishop Thomas Council will need to rule on
Protocol of Reconciliation provided a witness to the The rift widened last year Bickerton said that turned its constitutionality. The fea-
& Grace Through Separa- world of what unity amid when delegates meeting in into the final panel, made sibility of its financial provi-
tion," envisions an amicable diversity and disagreement St. Louis voted 438-384 for a up of moderates, progres- sions must also be evalu-
separation in which conser- could look like." Oliveto was proposal called the Tradi- sives and traditionalists ated."
vative churches forming a challenged by the denomi- tional Plan, which affirmed from Africa, Europe, the Bickerton said it is unclear
new denomination would nation's highest court, the bans on LGBTQ-inclusive Philippines and the United how many members will be
retain their assets. The new Judicial Council, in 2016 practices. A majority of States. lost if the proposal moves
denomination also would when it declared that the U.S.-based delegates op- Bickerton, who heads 438 forward. "I am sure we will
receive $25 million. bishop's consecration "was posed that plan but were Methodist churches in New lose a certain percentage.
The proposal was signed in incompatible with church outvoted by U.S. conser- York, said while he thinks We anticipate that," he
December by a 16-mem- law." vatives teamed with del- it is an amicable solution, said. Ït's time for us to get
ber panel, who worked However, Oliveto was al- egates from Methodist "there is a degree of heart- back to the ministry and
with a mediator and be- lowed to remain as the resi- strongholds in Africa and break within me because mission of the church. It's
gan meeting in October. dent bishop of the Moun- the Philippines. I never thought we would time for us to get back to
The panel was formed af- tain Sky Conference, which Methodists in favor of al- reach this point. However, the ministry and mission of
ter it became clear the includes United Method- lowing gay clergy and gay we are at this point. The dif- the church."q