1. [Add new text at end.] The Council of Bishops may appoint their own committee to investigate a complaint against another bishop for either of these chargeable offenses: (1) disobediences of the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church (¶ 2623.1(e)), or (2) dissemination of doctrines contrary to the established doctrines of the Church (¶ 2623.1(f)) as outlined in ¶ 513.6.
6. Investigation by the Council of Bishops.--Since the office of a bishop is embedded in its own context and bishops become, through their election, members first of the Council of Bishops and are, therefore, collegial expressions of episcopal leadership in the Church, the Council of Bishops shall hold one another accountable for obedience to the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church and dissemination of doctrines consistent with the established standards of doctrine of the Church.
The Council of Bishops may appoint their own committee to investigate a complaint against another bishop for either of the charges listed below. The Council of Bishops shall set their own procedures to conduct a fair investigation with the following guidelines:
If ten bishops sign a complaint against another bishop for either of the chargeable offenses: (1) disobedience to the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church (¶ 2623.1(e)), or (2) dissemination of doctrine contrary to the established standard of doctrine of the Church (¶ 2623.1(f)), the Council of Bishops shall appoint an investigative committee composed of seven bishops who will review the complaint and recommend by majority vote to dismiss the charge or recommend censure of the bishop charged with the offense. The Council of Bishops will hear the complaint and by majority vote dismiss the charge or censure the bishop. A vote of censure will be forwarded to the bishop's jurisdictional Committee on Investigation where the investigation will follow disciplinary procedures as outlined in ¶ 2625.2.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22846-MN-513-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference