| Institutional church lacks compassion The 'Statement from the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops,' in response to the acquittal last month of a lesbian pastor in Washington state, is an expected defense of the Discipline, rather than an affirmation of the principles for which Jesus lived and died. That Bishop Felton Edwin May concurs with the statement was also expected, as he has made it clear that he opposes any change in the official position of the church on this issue. For various reasons, many United Methodists object to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clergy. But one dominant reason among church leaders is protection of the institution. They hold that The United Methodist Church is infinitely more important than the ministry of some gay pastor out West. As I write this in Holy Week, I am reminded, sadly, of Caiaphas, protector of the Jewish temple and all it stood for. In order to shield it from radical change, he thought it best that one person should suffer rather than upset the institutional apple cart (cf. John 11:49-50). The one who ultimately suffered would, if he were alive today, applaud the bold, compassionate decision that has allowed Karen Dammann to continue her pastoral ministry in his name. Rev. Cliff Harrison, retired pastor
Frederick | 
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