Memorandum Number 1043

In 1998 the Minnesota Annual Conference approved a Sexual Misconduct Policy. In Decision 839 the Policy was ruled void and of no effect until such policy was revised, adopted by the Annual Conference, and resubmitted to the Judicial Council for review. In 1999 the Minnesota Annual Conference approved a policy for lay employees and volunteers which was submitted to the Judicial Council and approved in Decision 868 with the notation that the policy applied solely to laity and not to clergy. The 2006 Minnesota Annual Conference approved the revised Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy and Reporting Procedures which has been submitted by the Conference for Judicial Council review.

The Judicial Council retained jurisdiction in Decision 839. A review of the submitted Policy, with comparison to the requirements for such policies established by Decision 736, demonstrates that the revised 2006 Minnesota Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy and Reporting Procedures meets the standards established by the Judicial Council and the 2004 Book of Discipline. The 2006 Minnesota Annual Conference Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy and Reporting Procedures is in compliance with the 2004 Discipline and Decisions 736 and 839.

Digest

The Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy and Reporting Procedures of the Minnesota Annual Conference fulfills the requirements of Decision 736 and does not violate the 2004 Book of Discipline.

Mary A. Daffin and Shamwange P. Kyungu were absent.