Memorandum Number 1065

Review of Bishop's Decision of Law in the Coordinating Council of the Philippine Central Conference Concerning the Authority of a Bishop When Serving as a Member of the Board of a University Distinct from the Central Conference.

During a February 2006 meeting of the Coordinating Council, the interim body of the Philippine Central Conference of the United Methodist Church, the conference secretary submitted the following question of law: "Under par. 542.4, may a bishop claim presidential general oversight duty or appropriate Coordinating Council authority on himself to make a ruling or corrections in a meeting of the Methodist portion of corporate members of the Philippine Christian University (PCU), a distinct corporation to the Philippine Central Conference?" The presiding bishop issued a decision of law.

The Judicial Council only has jurisdiction to review decisions of law issued in response to written questions of law submitted during the regular business of bodies stipulated in ¶ 2609.6 of the 2004 Book of Discipline. The Coordinating Council of the Philippine Central Conference is not such a body. The Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction.

Rodolfo C. Beltran recused himself and did not participate in any of the proceedings related to this decision.

Digest

The Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction to review a decision of law issued in response to a question of law asked during a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Philippine Central Conference.

Shamwange P. Kyungu was absent.