Methodist district elects openly gay bishop in defiance of UMC ban

By Rob Howard
Associate Editor

The United Methodist Church welcomes LGBT church members, but the Book of Discipline has long banned openly gay clergy. The language could not be more clear: “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.”

Neverthelss, “The western district of the United Methodist church (UMC) elected an openly gay bishop on Friday, despite its ban on same-sex relationships. The Rev. [Dr.] Karen Oliveto was elected late in the evening at a meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, of the church’s western jurisdiction,” according to The Guardian.”

Rev. Dr. Oliveto is pastor of Glide UMC in San Francisco. According to the church’s website, Rev. Oliveto “is a leader in the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), a grassroots organization of congregations and communities committed to the full inclusion of GLBTQ persons in the life and ministries of The United Methodist Church and has served as chair of the board. She is also on the board of California Faith for Equality.

“Karen is the co-author of Talking about Homosexuality: A Congregational Resource (Pilgrim Press: 2005) and has written numerous articles, hymns and liturgies. She is an avid hiker and traveler, plays guitar and drums, and enjoys cooking for friends.”

The Guardian reported, “The president of the UMC’s council of bishops said the election raised ‘significant concerns and questions of church polity and unity’. The leader of an evangelical group within the church said the result could lead ‘to the brink of schism’”.

“The United Methodist Church is deeply divided over LGBT rights,” said the Associate Press. “Church law says same-gender relationships are ‘incompatible with Christian teaching.’ But several regional districts are openly defying the prohibition by appointing gay clergy and allowing same-sex weddings in churches. Some instances have led to trials under the church legal system.

Matt Berryman, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, told the website ThinkProgress: “Three [openly gay] candidates being nominated is yet another indication that there is a groundswell of grassroots movement within the church to remedy inequality.”

“In a blogpost published on Saturday, RMN greeted the election of Oliveto ‘with great joy’ as ‘an historic moment’ that ‘breaks through anti-LGBTQ law in the UMC and carries queer people to the highest levels of church leadership’”, according to The Guardian.

“Oliveto's election could draw complaints that will prompt a review under church law,” commented the AP.

The Gayly – July 16, 2016 @ 2:35 p.m.