Complaints Against Bishops 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...as taught by Jesus the Christ and proclaimed by his apostles
(¶ 422). Whenever a bishop violates this trust...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 complaint grievance concerning the
effectiveness,...If the complaint grievance concerns
the president, it may be submitted to the secretary any other
office of the College of Bishops. A complaint
grievance is a written statement...If the grievance is
not resolved, it should then be referred to the Jurisdictional Review
Committee.
3. After receiving a complaint grievance as provided
in ¶ 513.1 513.2, the president of the
College of Bishops, or secretary or other bishop if the
grievance concerns the president, in consultation with a lay and clergy
member of the Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on Episcopacy
appointed by the chair of the Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on
Episcopacy, shall make a supervisory response. This response shall be
directed toward a just resolution and/or reconciliation among
between all parties and the bishop against whom the
grievance was filed, and may include consultation...neutral third
party mediator or mediation team. In unusual circumstances, to protect the
well-being of the church and/or bishop, the College of Bishops, in consultation
with the Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on Episcopacy, may suspend
the bishop from all episcopal responsibilities for a period not to exceed sixty
(60) days. During the suspension, salary, housing and benefits will continue.
The supervisory response is pastoral and administrative. It is not a judicial
proceeding. Its only object is resolution or reconciliation, when possible.
No verbatim record shall be made and legal counsel shall not be present,
although the bishop against whom the complaint was made may choose another
bishop or clergy person to accompany him/her, with the right to voice. The
person making the complaint shall have the right to choose a person to
accompany him/her, with the right to voice. If the supervisory
response activity does not result in resolution of the
matter achieve the desired results, the president or
secretary of the College of Bishops may refer the matter as follows:
a complaint to the Review Committee of the Jurisdictional Committee on
Episcopacy.
a) If a complaint is based on allegations of one or more offenses listed in ¶ 2623, the president or secretary of the College of Bishops may refer the complaint to a bishop from another Jurisdictional/Central Conference, or to an elder in full connection within the same Jurisdictional/Central Conference, who shall serve as counsel for the church. Counsel for the church shall represent the interests of the church in pressing the claims of the person making the complaint. Counsel for the church shall have the right to choose one assistant counsel without voice who may be an attorney. The counsel for the church shall sign the complaint as a judicial complaint, forward it to the Jurisdictional Central Conference Committee on Investigation (¶ 2625.) and represent the church in any proceedings of the Committee on Investigation. The fair process provisions in ¶ 2622 shall apply to this judicial process. No complaint shall be considered for any misconduct which shall not have been committed within six years immediately preceding the filing of the complaint, except in cases of sexual or child abuse. In the case of sexual or child abuse, there shall be no limitation;
b) If the complaint is based on allegations of incompetence, ineffectiveness or unwillingness or inability to perform episcopal duties, the president or secretary of the College of Bishops may refer the complaint to the Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on Episcopacy. The Committee may recommend involuntary retirement (¶ 509.3), disability leave (¶ 511.3), remedial measures (¶ 454), or it may dismiss the complaint. In rare instances when the Jurisdictional/Central Conference Committee on Episcopacy deems the matter serious enough and when one or more offenses listed in ¶ 2623 are involved, the Committee may refer the complaint back to the president or secretary of the College of Bishops for referral as a judicial complaint to the Jurisdictional Central Conference Committee on Investigation. The provisions of ¶ 454.2 for fair process in administrative hearings shall apply to this administrative process.
4. [Delete.]
5. [Delete.]
6. [Delete.]
74. Any actions of the
jJurisdictional/cCentral
cConference cCommittee taken on
a complaint...
This paragraph shall become effective at the conclusion of the 1996 General Conference.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21258-MN-513-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference