PITTSBURGH — United Methodists ordered their top court to review the case of a lesbian pastor after the court ruled Saturday that gay sex violates Christian teaching.
The denomination’s general conference voted 551-345 to direct its judicial council to review the case of the Rev. Karen Dammann, whose avowed homosexuality led to church charges of committing practices "incompatible with Christian teaching."
In March, a jury of 13 pastors in Bothell acquitted Dammann.
But the judicial council, in a 6-3 vote Saturday, said being a practicing homosexual clearly violates Methodist law and that such a violation could be cause for removal from church office.
The Rev. Maxie Dunnam, president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, asked for the general conference vote in light of the judicial panel’s ruling.
It was unclear what action the high court could take in Dammann’s case. Methodist law does not allow for an appeal in church trials. However, the council retained jurisdiction over Dammann’s case when it ordered Dammann to be tried, and traditionalists hope that will allow the council to revisit the case.
"There’s nothing in (church law) that physically outlines what their options could be, but there’s nothing that specifically prohibits them, either," said Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. "Regardless of the jury verdict, she should still not be appointed as a pastor."
Dammann said she would consult with her lawyer to learn what actions the judicial council could take.
"This thing just never ends," she said. "I’m disappointed. I can’t believe it."
Dammann was put on trial after she told her bishop she was in a committed relationship with a woman. She married her partner in Portland, Ore., in March, after county officials there began allowing same-sex marriages.
Damman is now on family leave.
The debate over homosexuality is expected to dominate the agenda of the conference, which is held every four years and runs through Friday.
Copyright ©2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.