Quit the Methodist Doublespeak on Gays

In their Nov. 10 letter to the United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops declared their commitment once again to uphold the Book of Discipline prohibition against UM clergy conducting same-gender unions. I have no doubt that our bishops’ intent is to serve as faithful witnesses to the faith as they perceive it.

Unfortunately, there is considerable doublespeak in the words and actions of the bishops. Is enforcing the exclusion of GLBTs from pastoral services offered in love by clergy a “more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:31) as stated in the bishops’ letter? The claim of offering grace upon grace to all in the name of Christ is disingenuous at best and simply hollow in the eyes and ears of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. The bishops blame deep pain throughout the church on those clergy who have declared they will perform union services without discrimination. Yet the bishops make no mention of the pain of lesbian and gay members as well as that of their families and friends. It’s clear that our bishops have turned a deaf ear to UM GLBTs.