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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
April 2004 |
Dammann verdict: What happens next?
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 Church, 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 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 Book of Discipline, the church's book of law and guidelines. 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.)
Church can't appeal
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 Conference, Bishop Elias Galvan said the church followed its processes "sometimes painstakingly."
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With a United Methodist clergy trial, the respondent, or defendant, has the right to appeal, but the church does not have the right to appeal. |
"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 said 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 also is 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. She 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," she said, "but it could show the world a new understanding." She added, ". This is a new day."
First debated in 1972
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, the former director of communication for the Indiana Area and editor of this publication, and Riemland are freelance writers based in the Seattle area. They covered the clergy trial for United Methodist News Service.
Excerpts from Bishop Elias Galvan's statement
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.
Elias Galvan
Bishop of the Seattle Area
The United Methodist Church
Last updated on 04/19/2004