To South Carolina United Methodists,
By now you have heard of the Supreme Court decision that has made marriage between same-gender couples legal in The United States. The Counsel to the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has stated the following:
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, which struck down state laws that bar same-gender couples from marriage on the same terms accorded to couples of the opposite sex. The decision contains the following statements concerning the rights of religious persons and organizations:
“Many who deem same-sex marriage to be wrong reach that conclusion based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises, and neither they nor their beliefs are disparaged here.”
“Finally, it must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.”
The question has been raised whether the decision alters our church law that prohibits United Methodist clergy from performing same-gender ceremonies pursuant to ¶ 341.6. Since the Supreme Court’s decision is directed at state laws that bar same-gender persons from marriage and not to clergy persons who may be prohibited by religious doctrine and church law from officiating at those ceremonies, my opinion is that the decision does not change the church law of the United Methodist Church. In addition, my opinion is that the “free exercise” clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits any court from interfering with the doctrine and polity of the United Methodist Church regarding same-gender marriage or the regulation of its clergy in performing ceremonies that celebrate the unions of such persons. Thus, the decision has no effect on The Book of Discipline and the prohibition on the celebration of such marriages by our clergy.
United Methodist clergy and congregations are accountable to the teachings and church law outlined in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. In Paragraph 341.6 of the 2012 Book of Discipline it states, “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is the only body who can speak for the denomination and make changes to The Book of Discipline. The next General Conference will be held May 10-20, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. South Carolina Annual Conference’s delegates to General Conference were elected at our Annual Conference Meeting in June.
In Paragraph 161.f of The Social Principles in The Book of Discipline, United Methodist teaching affirms that all persons are people of sacred worth and that God’s grace is available to all while not condoning the practice of homosexuality.
As I have stated before, this issue is a deeply divisive issue in the church and often dominates our conversations, making it difficult to focus on the mission and ministry of the church. As we seek to live together in Christian community, I ask for your prayers for the people called United Methodist and particularly for those General Conference delegates from South Carolina and other Conferences as they prepare for a time of holy conferencing and faithful response to this difficult issue. Let us always remember that God calls us to be in faithful ministry with all persons through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
