A Spokane pastor openly cohabitates with a same-sex companion in the parsonage. Hundreds of clergy across the church publicly signify their willingness to break church law by celebrating same-sex unions. Bishops issue public statements, perform at demonstrations, and even invite arrest by secular authorities so as to publicize their disagreement with church law. General church agencies openly oppose church law or support caucus groups that do. Yet there are no repercussions.
Bishops are silent.
Sometimes charges are filed but ignored by bishops, in further defiance of the Discipline s requirements. The issue is treated as one that merits at best more dialogue, as if it were still an open issue, never to be settled. But the issue has been settled. Several attempts were initiated at last year s General Conference to dilute our church s teaching on marriage and sexuality. There was a proposal of a moratorium.