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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dr. James V. Heidinger II
859-858-4661
Dr. Scott Field
630-904-1035
Date: March 25, 2004
STATEMENT FROM GOOD NEWS
REGARDING DAMMANN COURT DECISION
In what has become one of the most surreal and bizarre verdicts in a
United Methodist church trial, the Rev. Karen T. Dammann is now able to
say, “I’m in good standing.”
She made that declaration at a news conference in Bothell, Washington,
after a 13-member jury of her Pacific Northwest Conference clergy
colleagues voted to acquit the outspoken lesbian clergywoman of the charge
of “practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible
with Christian teachings.”
In a decision on Saturday, March 20, that has elated some United
Methodists and hurt, confused, and angered many, many others, eleven
members of the church court voted to find Rev. Dammann not guilty. Two
said they were undecided. None supported a guilty verdict. And with that
decision, the United Methodist Church finds itself in the midst of one of
its most serious crises in more than a decade.
According to the standards found in the denomination’s Book of
Discipline, Dammann cannot possibly be “in good standing” while being
in a publicly acknowledged, lesbian relationship. (In fact, Damman and her
long-time partner, Meredith, participated in a same-sex “wedding” ceremony
the week prior to the trial.) Furthermore, the United Methodist Church
cannot continue with any sense of unity with these kinds of destructive
irregularities tearing at the heart, soul, and conscience of our church.
A Summary of the Case
In 2001, the Rev. Karen Dammann indicated to Bishop Elias Galvan
(Seattle Area) by letter that she was in a partnered relationship with
another woman, but that nonetheless, she desired an appointment in the
Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. Months later, Bishop Galvan filed a
formal complaint against Dammann, which was sent to the conference
Committee on Investigation, and was summarily dropped. It was then sent to
the Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals, and again dismissed. Both panels
had persons who admitted publicly their disagreement with United
Methodism’s standards on homosexuality and stated their unwillingness to
vote to send the case to trial. The latter appeal was sent automatically
to the United Methodist Judicial Council for review and the Council
remanded the charge back to the conference, instructing them to deal with
the matter seriously. In Decision 980, the Judicial Council stated it
would retain jurisdiction of the matter to ensure the decision was
implemented. The charge against Dammann was reintroduced and the church
trial began Wednesday, March 17, with retired Bishop William Grove serving
as trial judge.
A Flawed Trial—An Indefensible Verdict
What has angered, confused, and embarrassed United Methodists is
the conflicted and contradictory statement of the jury. In its verdict,
the jury chairperson, the Rev. Judy Schultz, said, “While sustaining the
specification that Rev. Karen Dammann is a self-avowed practicing
homosexual, we, the trial court, do not find the evidence presented…to be
clear and convincing that Karen Dammann has engaged in any practices
declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian
teachings. We cannot sustain the charge.”
This verdict is astonishing in light of these two acknowledged facts:
first, Dammann had admitted to Bishop Galvan that she was in a covenanted
relationship with another woman; and second, the trial jury admitted the
same, verifying that Dammann was “a self-avowed practicing homosexual.”
These facts should have led to a verdict of guilty for Dammann. The case
should have been open and shut in light of the evidence. The jurors,
however, were not willing to see or accept the obvious. Such a refusal to
act upon a clear matter of law is known in civil trials as “jury
nullification.” It would appear that “nullification” is precisely what
transpired with the Pacific Northwest Conference trial court.
In the statement read after the verdict, the jury said, “We searched
the Discipline and did not find a declaration that the practice
of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.” Such a claim
would be laughable if it weren’t so irresponsible and intellectually
dishonest. It reminds one of the words of Humpty Dumpty in Through the
Looking Glass, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to
mean—neither more nor less.” The well-known, oft-debated phrase found in
the Book of Discipline about homosexuality since 1972 is the one
stating that we “consider this practice incompatible with Christian
teaching” (Par. 161 G). The pro-homosexual constituency has been trying to
remove that phrase ever since.
Even a newcomer to the United Methodist Church could find the relevant
passage in the Book of Discipline dealing with standards for
ordained ministry. The Discipline says, “Since the practice of
homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed
practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as
ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church” (Par.
304.3). The Discipline could not be clearer about this matter.
The focus of the trial was to have been upon Karen Dammann and whether
she had violated church law because of her partnered relationship. The
defense, however, brought in numerous witnesses to speak to questions of
biblical interpretation, theology, and the history of the church’s
standards on homosexuality. The result was that the church’s standards
ended up on trial, not Dammann. The task of the court was not to critique
and evaluate the rightness or wrongness of the church’s standards, but to
determine if Dammann had violated those standards. These witnesses should
have been declared irrelevant and out of order by the trial judge.
The Trial and its Implications for the Church
Aspects about the process of the trial and its verdict are at
once, seriously flawed, an embarrassment to clear-thinking United
Methodists everywhere, and a threat to the unity of the United Methodist
Church.
First, it is apparent that the Pacific Northwest
Conference (if not the entire Western Jurisdiction) has broken covenant
with the rest of the denomination. Their actions in this verdict are
consistent with the statement passed by the Western Jurisdiction in the
summer of 2000, when its delegates defiantly declared, “We Will Not Be
Silent.” It was that jurisdiction’s way of saying it did not intend to
abide by the rulings of General Conference. The actions of the PNW Annual
Conference in its earlier casual dismissal of the Dammann complaint, and
now in this recent trial, are schismatic acts. That is, they are
indications this conference is separating itself from United Methodist
doctrine and polity.
Second, the panel of 13 jurors reporting 11 votes for
acquittal is a disturbing example of “jury nullification,” a situation in
which jurors refuse to acknowledge clear and established law in the
disposition of a case. The Church cannot continue with an autonomous
constituency that chooses to smugly ignore church standards, substituting
their own desires for the agreed upon policies of the General Conference.
Third, the trial made a mockery of our church and its
polity. We saw this when the clergyman who prosecuted the case against
Dammann said to reporters after the trial, “I’m glad I lost.” He also said
he believes the jury disregarded church teachings, but added, “I don’t
feel bad about that.” Can anyone, regardless of his or her views on this
divisive issue, believe there is any integrity in this kind of process?
Fourth, we are deeply distressed that three retired
United Methodist bishops testified on behalf of Dammann. This raises a
major question about whether bishops should ever appear before a
church court to speak in support of a position that is in direct
opposition to church law and the Book of Discipline, let alone
the church’s long tradition. This appears to us to be an egregious misuse
of the Episcopal office.
What Can United Methodists Do?
The first thing we would say to United Methodists all across the
country is that you can make a difference in the future of the
denomination. Now is the time for unified and prayerful United Methodists
to speak out. Departure from the denomination out of frustration only
weakens our church’s Apostolic witness. An older generation of liberal
leadership is passing off the scene and the church will soon welcome a new
generation of leaders. Evangelicals are, and will increasingly be, a major
part of the emerging new leadership.
Here are things concerned United Methodists can and will be
doing:
1. First, let us call the denomination to prayer and fasting.
During this Lenten season, we should make prayer and fasting a part of our
church’s involvement, including Sunday school classes and small group
gatherings. Remember, effectual, fervent prayer avails much! Those pastors
and laity in the Western Jurisdiction who are upholding the church
standards feel hopeless and isolated. Let’s lift them in prayer daily. (Be
a part of Good News’ General Conference Prayer and Information e-mail
list. Send to:
letters@goodnewsmag.org.)
2. Use every possible means to communicate your concern about
the trial and issues it has raised. Write your bishop, district
superintendent, as well as district and conference leaders, urging them to
take immediate remedial action (including speaking out personally).
Anguished United Methodists need to hear from other leaders of the church
and soon. Here are specific suggestions as to how to communicate:
a. Write thoughtful, substantive letters, typed or printed preferably.
Avoid angry remarks, threats, or name-calling. Appeal for accountability
and faithfulness to the church and its standards. Urge others to call the
Western Jurisdiction to accountability.
b. Send e-mails. Think and write carefully and prayerfully before
pushing the “send” key. Make sure your communication is grace-filled while
being firm.
c. Call some of your church leaders to express personally your deep
concern. Let them know you are praying for them during these troubled days
and as we approach General Conference.
3. Communicate with your General Conference delegation. Again, be
grace-filled and measured. They have much reading to do. Your brevity will
guarantee your letter being read.
4. As you write, e-mail and call, here are possible ways the crisis
might be addressed:
a. Urge the Judicial Council, as it has retained jurisdiction of the
trial, to review the trial to determine if it was, in fact, a serious
juridical procedure or only a pretense of a trial.
b. Urge bishops to find a way to address this crisis as a way of
leading the church in matters temporal and spiritual. We are pleased that
a number of our active bishops have already issued statements expressing
their distress about the trial’s outcome. Express appreciation to them for
speaking out publicly on the matter, but urge them to not stop with just
speaking out, they need to take action. Urge your bishop (or the Council
of Bishops) to call upon the Judicial Council to review the integrity of
the entire Dammann trial and verdict. The Council needs to lead the church
in helping the Western Jurisdiction either become a part of the connection
once again, or recommend some action that would allow non-compliant
pastors and churches to withdraw amicably. To get the name and address of
your bishop, go to the Good News web site, front page:
www.goodnewsmag.org
c. Delegates at the 2004 General Conference might consider a call for
repentance to the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference (or the entire
Western Jurisdiction) and consider ways to try to bring the Western
Jurisdiction back into fellowship with the rest of the denomination. (We
are aware that the actions of the PNW Conference and Western Jurisdiction
do not represent all of their pastors and laity. Many of them are
embarrassed by the actions of their conference and jurisdiction.)
d. Delegates at the 2004 General Conference might entertain a
resolution of censure of at least the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference
and perhaps the entire Western Jurisdiction. Some have questioned whether
the General Conference delegation from the Pacific Northwest Annual
Conference should be seated, in light of the conference’s breaking
covenant with the rest of the church.
5. Urge your General Conference delegates to support legislation that
strengthens the accountability of United Methodist leaders and that closes
loopholes in the church’s judicial proceedings. (See Good News’ proposed
legislation on our web site:
www.goodnewsmag.org)
6. Some churches and individuals are already feeling compelled to
consider redirecting contributions which have in the past gone into the UM
denominational channels. Some already are doing so. Many United Methodists
feel this is the only way left to voice their protest of an errant,
unfaithful church. It is tragic when United Methodists feel that they are
compromising their commitments by giving to the denominational system. As
delegates gather in Pittsburgh next month to wrestle with the
denomination’s financial shortages, they should be ready to admit there is
a connection between our church’s financial shortfall and the massive,
adverse publicity that comes from those who flaunt their disregard for the
Book of Discipline and continue to push for the approval of
homosexual practice and same-sex marriages. (Speaking of adverse
publicity, most of the major U.S. newspapers have carried articles about
the trial, including two days of consecutive front-page stories in the
New York Times.)
United Methodism is not experiencing a shortage of financial resources.
We are facing a shortage of confidence and trust about whether the church
and its leadership are being faithful to our doctrine and polity.
The enormous negative fallout from the Dammann trial can only be
reversed or remedied by major action by our United Methodist Council of
Bishops, the Judicial Council, or the delegates as they gather next month
in Pittsburgh. The voices of faithful United Methodists all across the
church can play a vital role in ensuring that some action will be
taken.
Again, we invite concerned United Methodists to be a part of Good News’
General Conference Prayer and Information e-mail list. For periodic
e-mailings, send your name and e-mail address to:
Letters@goodnewsmag.org. We
also welcome information about what action your church may be taking.
In closing, we urge you to remember the words that Paul wrote to the
Church at Philippi, which are so timely for us today: “Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”
( Phil. 1:27). Amen.
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-- Authorized by the Executive Committee of the Good News Board,
meeting by teleconference Tuesday evening, March 23, 2004. Approved by
e-mail consensus of the full board of directors of Good News.
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