513. Involuntary Termination of Office--1. Episcopal leadership in The United Methodist Church shares with all other ordained persons in the sacred trust of their ordination. The ministry of bishops as set forth in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church also flows from the gospel as taught by Jesus the Christ and proclaimed by his apostles. Whenever a bishop violates this trust or is unable to fulfill appropriate responsibilities, continuation in the episcopal office shall be subject to review by his or her College of Bishops. This review shall have as its purpose the reconciliation and restoration of the bishop and the strengthening of the Church. If a remedial process is unfruitful, it shall be the responsibility of the jurisdictional/central conference committee on episcopacy to make appropriate response.
2. Any grievance concerning the effectiveness, competence, or one or more of the offenses listed in 2623 shall be submitted to the president of the College of Bishops in that jurisdictional/central conference. If the grievance concerns the president, it may be submitted to any other office of the College of Bishops. A grievance is a written statement claiming misconduct, unsatisfactory performance of ministerial duties, or one or more of the offenses listed in 2623. If the grievance is not resolved, it should then be referred to the jurisdictional review committee.
3. After receiving a grievance as provided in 513.2, the president of the College of Bishops, or other bishop if the grievance concerns the president, shall make a supervisory response. This response shall be directed toward a reconciliation between all parties and the bishop against whom the grievance was filed, and may include consulation with the jurisdictional committee on episcopacy or voluntary mediation in which the parties are assisted in reaching a settlement or agreement satisfactory to all parties by a trained neutral third party mediator or mediation team. If supervisory activity does not achieve the desired results, the College of Bishops may refer the matter as a complaint to the review committee of the jurisdictional committee on episcopacy.
4. Review Committee, Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on Episcopacy--In each jurisdiction/central conference there shall be a review committee composed of four clergy members from the annual conferences of that jurisdiction/central conference and two bishops other than the current officers of the College of Bishops, giving attention to inclusiveness (103, 113). The review committee shall be appointed by the jurisdictional/central conference committee on Episcopacy and shall serve for the quadrennium.
This review committee shall receive from the College of Bishops all grievances concerning bishops in that jurisdiction/central conference and seek resolution of them. The work of this committee shall be informal and confidential and shall guarantee that the person or persons lodging the grievance and the bishop against whom the grievance is lodged shall have the right to be heard. No witnesses will be called and no counsel shall be present. Should the bishop desire it, another bishop or a clergyperson chosen by the bishop may accompany him/her at the meeting of the committee.
If resolution of the matter is not achieved, the review committee may prepare a complaint and forward it to the jurisdictional/central conference committee on Episcopacy with any recommendations.
5. Complaints.--A complaint prepared by the review committee, to the jurisdictional/central conference committee on episcopacy, must be based on incompetence, ineffectiveness, or one or more of the offenses listed in 2623 and shall be submitted in written form and signed by the chairperson of the review committee. No complaint shall be considered for any misconduct or unsatisfactory performance which shall not have been committed within two years immediately preceding the receipt of the grievance. The bishop named in the complaint shall be informed of the process and its purpose. Complaints shall be lodged with the chairperson of the jurisdictional committee.
6. Disposition of Complaint--When a complaint with any attached recommendations has been received by the jurisdictional/central conference committee on episcopacy, that committee shall develop a response based on the report of the review committee and the needs of the Church and the bishop. The jurisdictional/central conference committee may recommend involuntary retirement (509.3), sabbatical leave (511.2), disability leave (511.3), remedial action (as listed in 454.1e), or it may dismiss the complaint. In rare instances when the jurisdictional/central conference committee deems the matter serious enough and when one or more offenses listed in 2623 are involved, the jurisdictional/central conference committee on episcopacy may refer the complaint to the jurisdictional/central conference committee on investigation for possible trial (2625.2).
7. Any actions of the jurisdictional/central conference committee taken on a complaint shall be reported to the next session of the jurisdictional/central conference.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 513
1996 United Methodist General Conference