Memorandum Number 956

Review of Bishop's Decision of Law in the East Ohio Annual Conference on Whether the Resident Bishop and Annual Conference Were in Violation of ¶ 415.6 of the 2000 Discipline When the Words "In the Name of the Triune God" Were Substituted for the Words, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" in the Service of Ordination at the 2001 Session of the East Ohio Annual Conference.

Digest

The question of law raised by the member of the 2002 session of the East Ohio Annual Conference related to an action of the 2001 session of the annual conference. The question raised at the 2002 session of the annual conference did not pertain to any matter before that conference. The Judicial Council, therefore, does not have jurisdiction in this matter.

Statement of Facts

The question of law raised by the member of the 2002 session of the East Ohio Annual Conference related to an action of the 2001 session of the annual conference. The question raised at the 2002 session of the annual conference did not pertain to any matter before that conference. The Judicial Council, therefore, does not have jurisdiction in this matter.

Concurring Opinion

Although the Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction since the question of law was not raised appropriately during the business of the 2001 session of the Annual Conference, the phrase, “in the name of the Triune God,” although used in many United Methodist worship services, is not language which the General Conference has approved for the consecration of bishops, the ordination of elders and deacons, the consecration of diaconal ministers, and the commissioning of deaconesses and missionaries. Therefore, the bishop was correct when he ruled that ¶ 415.6 was violated by the use of the term “in the name of the Triune God.”

James W. Holsinger

C. Rex Bevins

John G. Corry

Keith D. Boyette

Mary A. Daffin