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Religion Forum Index » Christian Methodist Forum » UMNS: Dammann verdict: What happens next?
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 Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:38 am |
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Dammann verdict: What happens next?
Mar. 22, 2004
By Lynne DeMichele and Kim Riemland*
BOTHELL, Wash. (UMNS) - For the Rev. Karen Dammann, her acquittal on the
charge that she broke church law means she can remain in ministry - a
calling she first heard as a child.
It also means that she will return to active ministry, after going on
family leave March 1. For the 10 million-member United Methodist
denomination, the ruling has ignited strong reactions that will
reverberate in the global church's legislative meeting next month.
On March 20, a church trial court of 13 fellow pastors found that while
Dammann was a "self-avowed practicing homosexual," she was not guilty of
the single charge against her: that of "practices declared by the United
Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings." Eleven
members voted not guilty and two were undecided; no one voted guilty.
Nine guilty votes were required to convict.
"I'm in good standing," said a smiling Dammann at a news conference
following the verdict. "I never had my doubts that God was in this
process." Her partner of nine years, Meredith Savage, was at her side.
But even Dammann knows the verdict could further divide a church that
has long wrestled with the issue of homosexuality and the role of gays
in ministry.
"For the church, it means another level of struggle. I'm mindful of
that," Dammann acknowledged. "It's going to be painful."
Beginning April 27, the General Conference, the church's elected
legislative branch, will meet in Pittsburgh to debate church policies
and laws. Nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world will revise the
United Methodist law book, the Book of Discipline. It is the very book
that the Dammann trial court ruled does not clearly declare the practice
of homosexuality to be incompatible with Christian teachings.
After acquitting Dammann, a member of the trial court read a statement
explaining the decision, noting that even the jurors were divided on
that point. "We, as the trial court, are far from unanimous regarding
biblical and theological understandings," the statement said.
The pivotal issue came down to a lack of a declarative statement in the
Book of Discipline.
"We searched the Discipline and did not find a declaration that 'the
practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings,' the
statement read. Although the jurors found passages containing the
"incompatible..." phrasing, they said they "did not find that any of
them constitute a declaration" that homosexuality is a chargeable
offense.
Instead, trial court members pointed to other statements that are
clearly declarative, such as: "Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance
and support that enables all persons to participate in the life of the
church, the community and the world. Thus, inclusiveness denies every
semblance of discrimination." (Section 6 of The Ministry of all
Christians, section VI "Called to Inclusiveness," Paragraph 138, p. 93.)
With a United Methodist clergy trial, the respondent, or defendant, has
the right to appeal, but the church does not. In a statement to clergy
and members of the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference,
Bishop Elias Galvan said the church followed its processes "sometimes
painstakingly."
"Every appeal in this case has been exhausted," said Galvan, who filed
the original complaint in 2001 that eventually led to the trial. "In our
church, we recognize and respect the decision of the trial court."
Galvan noted that the verdict would not resolve the conflict in the
church.
In a post-trial press conference, Galvan told reporters that "yes, we're
not of one mind on this issue." Nevertheless, he said, "We have followed
carefully the Discipline and ... the jury has rendered a verdict, and we
must accept it." He went on to say that Dammann is "a respected member
of this conference, and it's been painful for me to see her struggle
through this difficult process."
Reactions to the verdict
"We will not be the same as we were last week," said the Rev. James
Finkbeiner, counsel for the church, after the trial. Finkbeiner
presented the case against Dammann.
He believes the acquittal will increase the intensity of debate about
homosexuality and how church law deals with it when General Conference
meets next month. "I think it will be a lively issue. ... Maybe it (the
verdict) will add a greater motivation."
Howie Schwend, a retired airline pilot and a lay member of the Pacific
Northwest Conference who attended the trial opening, told UMNS that the
controversy over homosexuality in the church was "only a symptom." He
said the "real issue is biblical authority" and stated that Scripture
clearly calls homosexuality a sin. Schwend is also a member of the
church's national Confessing Movement, an organization working to call
the church to its doctrinal roots.
The Rev. Edd Denton of Avon United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon told
a Seattle newspaper he's concerned the jury's decision will split his
local church, as well as the denomination as a whole. "If we are
unwilling to follow our own rules, it seems to me that then anything can
go. It could potentially lead to anarchy," Denton said.
Indeed, a number of local churches in the area say they've been flooded
with calls from parishioners angry or pained by the verdict. Some
callers have even threatened to withdraw their membership in the church.
As with many other local churches, members of Gig Harbor United
Methodist Church met Sunday to discuss the verdict. Several felt that
church law had been circumvented. Others voiced their confusion about
how a gay pastor could be allowed to continue in an appointment. Pastor
Al Aosved responded with a reminder that the verdict represents one
jury's opinion about one particular case.
While some people were upset at the verdict, others affirmed it.
Amory Peck of Bellingham, Wash., is a lay delegate to the upcoming
General Conference. He said the trial was an opportunity to be a
"prophetic voice" on the issue of homosexuality. The outcome of the
trial "won't change the law," he said, "but it could show the world a
new understanding." He added, " This is a new day."
"This is a great day in the United Methodist Church," said the Rev. Rody
Rowe as he opened the prayer service following the verdict. He led those
gathered in prayer, asking God to "help us to accept each other as
Christ accepted us. Teach us to care for all people as we find them.
.... Give us new eyes for seeing." He closed with, "Free us; make us
one."
The United Methodist Church's first public debate about issues related
to homosexuality occurred at the 1972 General Conference. The topic has
continued to be a "long and painful struggle," according to a report to
the 1992 General Conference from the Committee to Study Homosexuality.
Said church counsel Finkbeiner: "I don't know any family that always
agrees on everything."
In his statement, Galvan called on the pastors and church members in his
area to "refocus our attention on mission."
"We are united by our call to faithful discipleship," he said. "Let us
join in prayer for our church and its mission in the world."
*DeMichele and Riemland are freelance writers based in the Seattle area.
Along with freelance photographer Les Fetchko, they covered the clergy
trial for United Methodist News Service.
The full text of Bishop Elias Galvan's statement follows:
Saturday, March 20, 2004
To the pastors and people of the Pacific Northwest Conference of The
United Methodist Church
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy
in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in
the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1.3-5)
I am grateful to you for your faithfulness through these days: for your
prayers; for enabling many pastors to participate in the jury pool and
the trial court.
Many volunteers have helped with registration, hospitality, pastoral
care, and crowd management for this important, historic and very public
event. I want to thank the pastors, staff and members of the Bothell
United Methodist Church who have opened their doors, offered their
services and created a safe and neutral space for the church to do its
work and the Holy Spirit to tend the church.
Our sister in Christ, the Rev. Karen Dammann, was acquitted of charges
against her on Saturday, March 20, 2004. After two days of intense
testimony and 9 ˝ hours of deliberation, a trial court of 13 clergy
members of the Pacific Northwest Conference agreed that Karen is a
self-avowed practicing homosexual, but found her not guilty of
"practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible
with Christian teachings." The vote was 11 in favor, 2 undecided and 0
opposed.
For 3 years, we have followed the processes of the church carefully,
sometimes painstakingly. This matter has been reviewed and informed by
the Judicial Council of the Church on two separate occasions. Every
appeal in this case has been exhausted. In our church we recognize and
respect the decision of the trial court. The Rev. Karen Dammann remains
an elder in good standing and member of the Pacific Northwest
Conference. This matter is resolved.
This decision will not resolve the conflict within The United Methodist
Church, nor within the congregations of this Conference. As long as
this issue is important to society, the Church must continue to reflect
theologically and biblically and lead in ministries of justice and
peace.
While this trial has rightfully taken our time and energy, we must now
refocus our attention on our mission. It is time to take up our burden
of unresolved conflicts, even as we step out in faith. Now it is time
to turn again to our urgent responsibility to bear witness to the gospel
of Jesus Christ in the world.
Today people hunger and thirst for righteousness. Today children seek a
word of affirmation and hope in their lives. Today the message of grace
and forgiveness is balm for a hurting world. God empowers every church
to be a haven of hope and a place of peace in its community. God gives
us hands to serve and soothe, feet to walk in companionship, voices to
preach the good news and raise the cry for justice.
We are united by our call to faithful discipleship. Let us join in
prayer for our church and its mission in the world. The Holy Spirit has
sustained us through this very difficult process. Let us place our
confidence in God's faithfulness as together we journey into the future.
And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sincerely,
Elias Galvan
Bishop of the Seattle Area
The United Methodist Church
********************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org |
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