THURSDAY ROUNDUP
DENVER (UMNS) -- Personal "pain" at "proscriptions ... against gay and lesbian persons" in official United Methodist Church policy was voiced by 15 of the church's 130 bishops in a dramatic statement released late on April 18 here.
The bishops, 11 active and four retired, "affirm(ed) (their) commitment" to "continue our responsibility to order and discipline of the church," but urged congregations "to open the doors in gracious hospitality to all our brothers and sisters in the faith."
"We believe it is time to break the silence and state where we are on this issue that is hurting and silencing countless faithful Christians," the statement said.
The bishops cited provisions in the Book of Discipline condemning the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching, and specifically barring "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from ordination and appointment.
The 11 active bishops signing the statement were Judith Craig, Columbus, Ohio; William W. Dew Jr., Portland, Ore.; Calvin D. McConnell, Seattle; Susan M. Morrison, Philadelphia; Fritz Mutti, Topeka, Kan.; Donald A. Ott, Detroit; Sharon Zimmerman Rader, Wisconsin Area; Roy I. Sano, Los Angeles; Mary Ann Swenson, Denver; Melvin G. Talbert, San Francisco; and Joseph H. Yeakel, Washington.
Retired bishops signing were C. Dale White, Newport, R.I.; Jesse R. DeWitt, Naperville, Ill.; Leontine T.C. Kelly, San Mateo, Calif.; and Melvin G. Wheatley Jr., Laguna Hills, Calif.
It was not immediately clear what the effect of the statement would be on the many legislative petitions relating to homosexuality now before the 998 General Conference delegates. These petitions reflect a multitude of points of view among United Methodists.
Homosexuality has been a high profile issue in the 9.7- million-member denomination since l972.
The bishops' statement came at the end of a day that began with a 90-minute "Call to Witness and Prayer" urging United Methodists to move forward in the areas of justice and human rights. In song, scripture, testimony and, especially, prayer, the conference delegates sought "God's intervention in the places, persons and situations most needing God's help."
Speakers included the Rev. William J. Abraham, Dallas; Andrei Kim, Moscow, Russia; Dorothy Yeoman, Elgin, Ill.; Randy Miller, San Francisco; the Rev. Minerva Carcano, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Francisco de Castro Maria, a student from Angola.
Abraham, an Irish Methodist, said Methodism's history on social justice and civil rights is a mixed one. "We have wobbled and wavered," he said. "No doubt we will wobble and waver again.
Kim told of the danger to denominations from some politicians who would take advantage of the present uncertrainties there. Yeoman spoke of her commitment as a United Methodist woman to a prison ministry with women and the elimination of capital
punishment.Miller said he had faced discrimination as an African- American and as a gay man. Carcano said "our racism, our sexism and our homophobia are symptoms to our acquiescence to a darkness within." De Castro Maria, said his country had suffered 400 years of oppression at the hands of a colonial power and its present "lack of development caused by external forces."
The service was scheduled in response to a l992 Colorado constitutional amendment widely viewed as denying basic human rights to homosexuals.
The amendment was challenged immediately in the courts and never went into effect. It now is before the U.S. Supreme Court with a decision expected later this year.
In a traditional ceremony Thursday, the Council of Bishops passed the president's gavel to Bishop Woodie W. White, Indianapolis. White succeeds Bishop Roy I. Sano, Los Angeles, and will serve a one-year term.
-- Robert Lear
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