United Methodist Church Judicial Council Upholds Anti-Gay Traditional Plan

Remember when the United Methodist Church General Conference back in February 2019 in order to vote on a plan that would allow for both anti-gay traditionalists and pro-gay progressives to coexist within the denomination? And remember when all of the anti-gay traditionalists banded together and instead voted for the Traditional Plan, which doubled-down on the UMC anti-gay policies? You can read about it here and here.

But here is the nutshell: The Traditional Plan heightened punishment against clergy for officiating at gay weddings. The Traditional Plan doubled-down on its opposition to ordaining queer clergy. And the Traditional Plan has encouraged anyone who disagrees with the Traditional Plan to make a "gracious exit" from the denomination.

Fast-forward to this week: The UMC's Judicial Council reviewed the Traditional Plan and several of its components that were voted on earlier this year to see if they are constitutional. The Judicial Council decided that the Traditional Plan is wonderful.

Here is what the UMC Judicial Council is fine with:

1. Redefining "self-avowed practicing homosexual" as a person who is "living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual.
2. Bishops will be barred from consecrating, ordaining or commissioning "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" even if they have been elected or approved by the appropriate church body. The Traditional Plan prohibits church bodies from approving or recommending "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" as pastoral candidates.
3. It strengthens the complaint procedures and punishments against clergy who officiate at same-sex weddings. Clergy who officiate at a same-sex wedding will face at least one year suspension without pay for their first offense. They will lose their pastoral credentials for their second offense.

The Traditional Plan will go into effect on 01/01/20.