Memorandum Number 911

Decision

The decision of law of Bishop Elias G. Galvan is not affirmed since Report # 10 of the Legislative Committee on Conference and Church Order violates the Discipline and thus, cannot be acted upon by the Conference.

We agree that the bishop was in error to rule that a resolution adopted by an annual conference does not become an official statement

We also agree with the majority opinion that if Report # 10 had been adopted by the annual conference without alteration by amendment it would have been unconstitutional.

However, the resolution was never discussed by the body. Therefore, we are unable to determine what language might have been adopted. Without that knowledge, it is not possible to discern what the outcome would have been. We do not believe the Constitution requires restraint on discussion or debate.

We believe the bishop should have ruled the question out of order until after the annual conference discussed and voted on the resolution. At that time the question could have been considered.

Sally Brown Geis

Sally Curtis AsKew

Rodolfo C. Beltran