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Press Release
February 16, 2011
The Renewal and Reform Coalition, a body of evangelical leaders of which RENEW is a member, have released a statement in response to a letter issued by 36 retired bishops in early February. The letter calls for the United Methodist Church to remove the paragraph in our Book of Discipline which defines the church's stance on homosexual practice. as being incompatible with Christian teaching. The bishops also implore the church to end its ban on the ordination and appointment of homosexual clergy. The signees to the letter represent about 40% of the retired bishops. These bishops, who receive support from the Episcopal Fund of the UMC, serve on the Council of Bishops. Reaction has been mixed across the denomination as several active bishops have responded to the letter. The timing seems to coincide with the impending church trial of a lesbian clergy member, Rev. Amy DeLong, that will take place this April in Wisconsin. Read about her case HERE. Read the retired bishops' statement HERE. Read responses from other bishops HERE. |
