Delegates listen
Delegates consider legislation at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.)
April 26, 2024 | CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News)
During the morning plenary April 26, delegates voted 702 to 20 to authorize the credentialing of delegates who were provisionally elected in 2023.
The delegates’ vote April 26 responds to a ruling issued last fall by the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court.
In Memorandum 1485, the church court said it would be up to General Conference to determine how to handle vacancies in jurisdictional and central conference delegations that came about during the assembly’s long COVID-caused delay until this year.
Jurisdictions in the U.S. and central conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines elect the denomination’s bishops. Jurisdictional and central conference delegates also serve as General Conference reserves.
Editor's note: The attendance of international delegates whose travel was delayed by problems with visas and arrangements remains a concern. Some more delegates were expected to arrive by the second week of General Conference proceedings when plenary sessions will vote on legislation.