Redstone Presbytery approves overture on
constitutional authority
Clerk says it would accomplish same purpose as a
special Assembly
by Jerry L. Van Marter,
Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE -- January 24, 2003 -- [posted here 1-27-03] --
Redstone Presbytery has adopted an overture to the 215th General Assembly
that it says addresses the same issues raised in a petition calling for a
special session of the 214th General Assembly and therefore the
unprecedented special session is not needed.
The overture, approved Jan. 21 -- the same day Elder Alex
Metherell of Los Ranchos Presbytery, the special Assembly petition
organizer, threatened to sue GA moderator the Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel for not
calling the special session yet -- highlights the role of synods in the
denomination's judicial and disciplinary processes.
Metherell's petition, submitted to Abu-Akel on Jan. 14,
appears to bypass synods in favor of the General Assembly taking direct
action in more than two dozen cases alleging defiance of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) ban on the ordination of sexually active gay and lesbian
Presbyterians currently making their way through the church courts.
Virtually all of the cases are directed against
individuals, sessions or presbyteries. Redstone's overture asks the General
Assembly to "remind synods" of their oversight responsibilities and to "urge
synods to establish guidelines or amend their standing rules to provide for
the appointment of (synod-level) committees" to address issues of
non-compliance in their presbyteries.
Mary Ellen Lawson, Redstone's stated clerk, told the
Presbyterian News Service, "There was support for this from the left, right
and middle. The hope is that if enough folks know about it and realize that
this will accomplish what Metherall is trying to accomplish, it will take
away the urgency or even need to come to a special meeting of the 214th
since this will be before the 215th in a constitutional way."
Abu-Akel has said that the earliest a special session of
the 214th GA could be held is May 15, just nine days before the 215th GA is
scheduled to convene in Denver.
Lawson said the rationale section of the overture "also
clarifies the role of (General Assembly stated clerk) Cliff Kirkpatrick and
what he can and cannot do, thereby diminishing some of the relentless
attacks on him," and, she added, "also chastises those who are unwilling to
exercise mutual forbearance."
The full text of Redstone Presbytery's overture:
The Presbytery of Redstone respectfully overtures the
215th General Assembly (2003) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to:
 | Since 1996, when G-6.0106b was added to our
Constitution, there has been great tension inside our beloved
denomination. For a large minority of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
such a provision is deemed unconstitutional. For the majority, the
Scriptures and Confessions are so clear that the minority's perspective is
beyond comprehension. |
| In these six years, innumerable cases of judicial
process have been initiated. First came remedial cases such as Wier v.
Second Presbyterian Church (1999, p. 831) and Londonderry v. Presbytery of
Northern New England (2001, p. 577). More recently, one elder has filed
disciplinary complaints against more than 20 individuals. |
| Immediately prior to the convening of the 214th General
Assembly, the session of Christ Church in Burlington, VT withdrew the
statement that gave rise to the Londonderry complaint. Following the
adjournment of the 214th General Assembly, the same session issued a new
statement again expressing defiance. |
| The Presbyteries of Baltimore and Redwoods appear to
have failed to adequately carry out their responsibilities in the face of
credible allegations against their members. |
| The Presbytery of Cincinnati continues to seem unable
to adequately carry out its responsibilities for Mt. Auburn's session and
pastors. |
| Sessions around the denomination continue to call upon
the Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick, to take actions that are beyond his
authority. Such calls are often publicly made and exhibit little
forbearance, as required by Constitution. |
| The press continues to fan the flames of discontent
with inaccurate and inflammatory reporting. |
| The synods stand in a position of unique opportunity
and responsibility for addressing these situations. |
| The General Assembly possesses clear authority to call
upon the synods to take actions to address this sad state of affairs.
|
