April 7, 1999
Methodist pastor suspended
over same-sex ceremony
___DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (RNS)--Gregory Dell, the Chicago pastor suspended from ministry March 26 by a United Methodist Church court for performing a same-sex wedding ceremony, says the decision was a victory of legalism over compassion.
___"Part of the church made a statement, but it's not the final word" about the legitimacy of such "holy union" ceremonies, said Dell, pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago and a minister for almost 30 years. The ruling, he added, is "part of an ongoing process throughout this denomination."
___Dell was found guilty of disobeying church law by a 10-3 vote of a jury, or "trial court," of 13 clergy of the denomination's Northern Illinois Conference.
___After several more hours of deliberation, the court imposed the indefinite suspension penalty, which will take place July 5 unless Dell promises in writing to perform no more such ceremonies or the denomination changes its law in the matter.
___"I will never sign such a pledge," said Dell, saying that would be "a violation of the dignity" of his parishioners, of whom 30 percent are gay or lesbian. To them, he said, he would "continue to offer a whole range of ministry."
___Dell said he has performed 33 same-sex union services in the last 18 years.
___Asked if he would leave the church because of his suspension, Dell said, "Maybe some time, but it's not in my plans at this time."
___The first chance for a change in church law would be at the next United Methodist General Conference--the denomination's top legislative body--in May 2000. It was at the last General Conference in 1996 that delegates adopted the resolution barring pastors from performing or participating in same-sex union ceremonies.
___This ruling was upheld by the church's Judicial Council, or supreme court, last August.
___The estimated cost of the trial was $100,000, a fact Methodist bishop Joseph Sprague of Illinois drew attention to.
___ "We spent $100,000 to argue with each other," he said. "I have an idea that God isn't smiling tonight."Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!