ICJ Number 8

Request of the Uniting Conference that the Interim Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church be requested to rule on the constitutionality of the authority of the Commission on Religion and Race with respect to the "Merging of Annual Conferences."

Digest

The action of the Uniting Conference in establishing the Commission on Religion and Race has given it responsibility for promoting and encouraging the merger of Annual Conferences but has no authority superceding that already established in our Constitution for effecting such mergers. 

Statement of Facts

In a session of the Uniting Conference the following action was taken:

"BE IT RESOLVED by the Uniting Conference of The United Methodist Church that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Article II, Division IV, of the Constitution of The United Methodist Church, the Interim Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church, be and it is hereby requested to rule on the constitutionality of that part of said Resolution by which the commission is given authority to assume general church responsibility for the merging of Annual Conferences."

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is based on the creation of the Interim Judicial Council and the grant of authority given to it by the Uniting Conference (D.C.A. 190-192) and upon the request to the Council by the Uniting Conference for an opinion on duties relating to the Commission on Religion and Race.

Decision

The action of the Uniting Conference establishing the Commission on Religion and Race and stating as one of its responsibilities the "merging of Annual Conferences" is constitutional, it being understood that such a responsibility is advisory and promotional in nature and does not convey any power or authority otherwise defined and established by the Constitution for effecting the merger of Annual Conferences.

May 3, 1968

MURRAY H. LEIFFER

Vice President, Interim Judicial Council Secretary, Interim Judicial Council

(Paul R. Ervin, Leon E. Hickman and Samuel W. Witwer were absent.)