Methodist Bishop Acknowledges Discriminatory Statements in Church Doctrine

In response to a letter signed by area clergy in support of Frank Schaefer, a Methodist minister who may be defrocked for officiating his gay son’s marriage six years ago, Philadelphia’s Methodist Bishop Peggy Johnson has admitted that there are “discriminatory’ statements in the church’s doctrine regarding gay marriage.

“The very Bishop under whose episcopacy I was found guilty of violating a law of the United Methodist Book of Discipline, now calls this same law discriminatory,” said Schaefer, who was found guilty of violating the church’s Book of Discipline during a November church trial in Spring City. “Many of us suspected that bishop Johnson was a silent supporter of LGBT rights; she is now stepping up to be the leader we asked her to be. I am so proud of her.” 

Johnson’s statements come in response to a letter signed by the Reconciling Methodist Ministers of Eastern Pa., who held a press conference in conjunction with Schaefer on Tuesday, where Schaefer, of Lebanon County, announced that he would like to serve he would like to serve as an advocate for the lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender (LBGT) communities.

Johnson acknowledged that LGBT members of the church are of “sacred worth,” that several statements in the Book of Discipline are discriminatory against LGBT members, and that church trials surrounding the LGBT community are “not helpful.”

“They use time, resources, and energy that could be better used for the ministry of the church,” Johnson said.

Schaefer was suspended from his duties for 30 days after his trial and was ordered to decide if he could follow all aspects of Methodist teachings — including that same-sex marriage is “incompatible with Christian teaching”— or surrender his credentials as a minister. 

“I cannot in good conscience surrender my credentials voluntarily as I feel called to represent, minister to, and advocate for tens of thousands of LGBT members and their families within the United Methodist Church,” Schaefer said, adding that he was “called by God first.”

Johnson’s statements on the issue does not impact Schaefer’s trial; he will meet with the Board of Ordained Ministers on Thursday to find out if he will be defrocked.

However, Schaefer's supporters  are now hopeful that Johnson’s response will prompt clergy of other conferences to submit similar letters to their bishops.

“This is a major step toward LGBT inclusiveness and toward ending discrimination.”  Dr. Herb Snyder, Co-Chair of the Reconciling United Methodists of Eastern PA.