United Methodist Bishops Acknowledge Imminent Breakup

The United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops, ending a five-day meeting Friday, acknowledged the inevitable breakup of their denomination -- a schism that will widen this weekend with the launch of a global movement led by theologically conservative Methodists. The breakaway denomination, called the Global Methodist Church, will officially exist as of Sunday. Its leaders have been exasperated by liberal churches' continued defiance of UMC bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy.