Memorandum Number 783

The respondent is placed in the same status as he would have been before the special clergy session of the West Michigan Annual conference. He is entitled to salary and other benefits as of July 11, 1995, and to a pastoral appointment immediately. The questions of law referred to Donald Ott, the presiding bishop, and his answers are now, in light of the ruling on this declaratory decision, either duplicative or irrelevant to the issue:

Statement of Facts

A petition proposing to delete the second paragraph of Par. 810.3 is within the constitutional authority of the General conference.

This matter reached the Judicial Council by way of the consent calendar, which is not the most effective method of referral to the Judicial Council.

Decision

A petition proposing to delete the second paragraph of Par. 810.3 is constitutional under Par. 15.14.


Tom Matheny, President

Wayne Coffin, Secretary