Posted on 04/29/2017 6:28:39 PM PDT by marshmallow
The United Methodist Church’s highest court has ruled that the consecration of its first openly gay bishop violated church law, compounding a bitter rift over homosexuality that has brought the 13-million-member denomination to the brink of schism.
In a 6-to-3 vote made public on Friday, the church’s Judicial Council found that a married lesbian bishop and those who consecrated her were in violation of their “commitment to abide by and uphold the church’s definition of marriage and stance on homosexuality.”
Still, the court ruled that the bishop, Karen P. Oliveto of Denver, “remains in good standing” pending further proceedings, offering her supporters a glimmer of hope. But it also raised the prospect of a suspension or forced retirement.
“Under the longstanding principle of legality, no individual member or entity may violate, ignore or negate church law,” the council ruled. “It is not lawful for the College of Bishops of any jurisdictional or central conference to consecrate a self-avowed practicing homosexual bishop.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Ping.
Would they consecrate someone who was openly a prostitute?
Too bad the Episcopal Church didn’t stand up like this years ago with Gene Robinson. The man was married, had kids (and subsequently divorced his “husband.”). Led to what is, for all practical purposes, the demise of the Episcopal Church USA.
The UMC has been on the brink of schism for years and years. Trouble is, the ones who want to change the church away from the Bible, the Discipline and the entire history of Methodism do not want to leave, will not leave, and consider it their mission to force the church to accept homosexual behavior — not just accept it, but bless it and declare it no longer a sin. Nor will they leave if forced: their goal is to keep on infiltratilng, usurping and disrupting.
The answer is that the UMC, one of the weakest-catechized, most fallen-away churches in the old mainstream, needs to strengthen its own flock. Faith comes through hearing the Word of God.
The answer lies in the hearts of the people not to weaken and fall over when the gay lobby starts its shaming and hateful accusations; but instead to know The Word of God strongly and clearly enough that congregations and pastors can stand on The Word without faltering, and still love the sinner.
It's no longer enough to be a Christian in name only, or to talk the talk but try to walk on the other side of the road so people won't think you're not "nice." The "Church of Nice" is killing the universal church of the apostolic faith, the true Cross of Christ.
‘Openly Gay’ or queers in a closet weirdos have NO place in a so-called Church!
GRRR!
Unlike the rest of the “old line” denominations, in the UMC it is the LIBTARDS who are talking schism because they are realizing that they will be outvoted by the conservatives.
Why?
In the UMC the highest governing body, the General Conference, is comprised of delegates not only from North America but also from Africa. The courageous, orthodox Africans refuse to bow the knee to “inclusivism” and “radical faminism” etc.
So the libtards want to bolt.
If you can’t be a good influence then be a GOOD RIDDANCE!
And remember, there is one religion out there that is NOT the religion of nice. I think perhaps that’s why it’s growing in leaps and bounds among the alienated. We are creating a vacuum with this kind of stuff.
Homosexuality is closely linked to pedophilia. Heaven knows we’ve had enough problems with this in the church already. Shocking churches are still considering the issue.
Pretty sad that they cannot go by the Scripture. Then the vote would be 9-0.
John Wesley would not approve of this church.
Only in the past few years, perhaps. This has not been the case in past General Conferences. They were asked to leave and wouldn't leave.
Good question. In a state that allows prostitution it would be a distinct issue.
Exactly!!!
Methodist need to check into (and join) The Weslayan Covenant Association who are working to keep us true as man can be to the Word of God.
II Chronicles 7:14....let’s GO!
A great comment you have made!
The Untied Methodist Church is falling apart. No, that is not a misspelling.
Where else are they going to find God?
Nevermind. He probably doesn't attend so-called churches either.
That's the only thing holding the denomination together.
Thank God for the conservative Bible believing African Methodist.
There will never be a schism, amicable or not. The UMC has a nest egg of twenty billion dollars. The superintendents and bishops want to control that ill gotten fortune.
======== Title page =========
The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church
1896
With an Appendix
Edited by Bishop Andrews
New York: Eaton & Mains
Cincinnati: Curtis and Jennings
Copyright by Eaton & Mains
1896. Eaton & Mains Press,
150 Fifth Avenue, New York
========= Excerpt from the main document =========
Page 331
Appendix
Chapter III.
Constructions of Law by the General Conference.
Article 31. On Licensing and Ordaining Women.
Paragraph 1.
The Discipline o the Methodist Episcopal Church does not provide for nor contemplate the licensing of women as Local Preachers; and therefore the action of a Quarterly Conference, and of a Presiding Elder as the President thereof, in granting such a license is without authority of law, is not in accordance with the Discipline as it is, and with the uniform administration under it. -- Journal, 1880, pp. 353, 354.
Paragraph 2.
The law of the Church does not authorize the ordination of women to the Ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and a Bishop is not at liberty to submit to the vote of the Conference the question of electing women to Orders. -- Journal, 1880, p. 353.
Paragraph 3.
The General Conference judges it inexpedient to take any action on the subject of licensing women to exhort or to preach; and that it is also inexpedient to take any action on the subject of ordaining women to the Ministry. -- Journal, 1884, p. 317.
======== End of excerpt =========
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