QUOTE
Gay Methodist Pastor Has Setback at Trial
Thursday December 2, 2004 11:01 AM
AP Photo PAJL106
By RICHARD N. OSTLING
AP Religion Writer
PUGHTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Methodist minister being tried by her church for announcing last year that she lived with a lesbian partner faced a setback when the presiding judge excluded expert testimony from six defense witnesses who believe the church's gay ban violates its own legal principles.
The Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud is being tried for violating the United Methodist Church's law against ``self-avowed practicing homosexuals'' in the ministry.
The defense witnesses believe the church's gay ban violates its own constitution. But the judge, retired Bishop Joseph Yeakel of Washington, D.C., said Wednesday that constitutional questions were ``not relevant to this case.'' He issued no formal explanation.
Two other lesbian ministers have been tried under the rule: One was defrocked, the other acquitted. Given Yeakel's ruling, Stroud had little doubt what would happen when the jury decides, possibly by late Thursday.
``To win a verdict would be an extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit. I don't expect that,'' she said at a news conference.
The Rev. Thomas Hall of Exton, Pa., prosecutor in the case, told the court Stroud's pastoral abilities and personal qualities have never been in dispute. Nor, he said, is there any disagreement about the fact that she's a lesbian.
Bishop Peter Weaver, formerly of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, then testified that a celibate lesbian can remain in the ministry but someone in a relationship would be violating Methodist law.
Under questioning by Hall, Stroud spoke of her relationship with partner Chris Paige, who listened nearby. ``One aspect of our relationship is that we express our love for each other sexually and with our bodies,'' Stroud said.
Stroud's defense attorney, the Rev. J. Dennis Williams of Cornwall, Pa., asked why Stroud insisted on a career with the Methodists. ``I felt I was called to go home. This is the church I grew up in,'' she said.
Stroud said in an interview that while at Union Theological Seminary in New York City she considered a career with the Episcopal Church or United Church of Christ, which have more liberal practices, but only briefly.
Williams argued that the case might seem ``a slam dunk'' because church law is specific. But, he noted, ``there is no evidence at all that Jesus said anything on this matter, let alone condemned it. He also said Methodist founder John Wesley decided women should preach ``if they are under an extraordinary impulse of the Spirit'' - despite New Testament passages that appeared to forbid this.
Agreement from nine clergy jurors is needed to convict and presumably defrock Stroud. If that happens, however, her supportive Philadelphia congregation already has agreed she can continue preaching, teaching and pastoral work as a lay employee. She would not, however, be able to celebrate baptism or Communion.
During the day, as many as several dozen Stroud supporters stood vigil outside the camp gymnasium where proceedings were held, sometimes in pouring rain.
Thursday December 2, 2004 11:01 AM
AP Photo PAJL106
By RICHARD N. OSTLING
AP Religion Writer
PUGHTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Methodist minister being tried by her church for announcing last year that she lived with a lesbian partner faced a setback when the presiding judge excluded expert testimony from six defense witnesses who believe the church's gay ban violates its own legal principles.
The Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud is being tried for violating the United Methodist Church's law against ``self-avowed practicing homosexuals'' in the ministry.
The defense witnesses believe the church's gay ban violates its own constitution. But the judge, retired Bishop Joseph Yeakel of Washington, D.C., said Wednesday that constitutional questions were ``not relevant to this case.'' He issued no formal explanation.
Two other lesbian ministers have been tried under the rule: One was defrocked, the other acquitted. Given Yeakel's ruling, Stroud had little doubt what would happen when the jury decides, possibly by late Thursday.
``To win a verdict would be an extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit. I don't expect that,'' she said at a news conference.
The Rev. Thomas Hall of Exton, Pa., prosecutor in the case, told the court Stroud's pastoral abilities and personal qualities have never been in dispute. Nor, he said, is there any disagreement about the fact that she's a lesbian.
Bishop Peter Weaver, formerly of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, then testified that a celibate lesbian can remain in the ministry but someone in a relationship would be violating Methodist law.
Under questioning by Hall, Stroud spoke of her relationship with partner Chris Paige, who listened nearby. ``One aspect of our relationship is that we express our love for each other sexually and with our bodies,'' Stroud said.
Stroud's defense attorney, the Rev. J. Dennis Williams of Cornwall, Pa., asked why Stroud insisted on a career with the Methodists. ``I felt I was called to go home. This is the church I grew up in,'' she said.
Stroud said in an interview that while at Union Theological Seminary in New York City she considered a career with the Episcopal Church or United Church of Christ, which have more liberal practices, but only briefly.
Williams argued that the case might seem ``a slam dunk'' because church law is specific. But, he noted, ``there is no evidence at all that Jesus said anything on this matter, let alone condemned it. He also said Methodist founder John Wesley decided women should preach ``if they are under an extraordinary impulse of the Spirit'' - despite New Testament passages that appeared to forbid this.
Agreement from nine clergy jurors is needed to convict and presumably defrock Stroud. If that happens, however, her supportive Philadelphia congregation already has agreed she can continue preaching, teaching and pastoral work as a lay employee. She would not, however, be able to celebrate baptism or Communion.
During the day, as many as several dozen Stroud supporters stood vigil outside the camp gymnasium where proceedings were held, sometimes in pouring rain.