Two pro-LGBTQ qroups have disputed the Jan. 3 press release saying they were represented in the negotiations that drafted "A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation."
Through a Facebook post by its conveners, the Queer Clergy Caucus disavowed that Rev. David Meredith was their official representative.
Queer Clergy Caucus logo
"The article published today on unitedmethodistbishops.org about the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation misleads readers about the Queer Clergy Caucus’ participation in the process. David Meredith is listed as a member of the caucus in his bio, but the article erroneously says he represented us. That is an important distinction. David is a beloved member of the caucus, but not one of our elected leaders. Our official leadership was not invited into the conversations and most of our members were unaware of the proceedings until the article went live this morning.
"We have requested that the Council of Bishops edit the article so that we are not used to promote something we were not consulted about as an organization. Like our siblings in ethnic caucuses, we were not officially at the table for these negotiations.
"Austin Adkinson and Ashley Hawkins, co-conveners"
A lengthy response on the website of the Methodist Federation for Social action outlines the basics of the Protocol and what MFSA thinks the proposal fails to achieve. The statement, signed by its executive director Bridget Cabrera, concludes:
M Theresa Basile
MFSA Logo
"MFSA has not officially endorsed this protocol. There were people in the room that are members of MFSA, have been shaped by MFSA, and have brought to the table our values. We are grateful to them and acknowledge the challenging work they have been doing over the past few months. Once the legislation is written and we have had an opportunity to review it, along with the ADCA, we will share more. As always we will continue to work against legislation that perpetuates harm and work toward passing legislation that seeks justice and reduces harm.
"Regardless of the outcome of the 2020 General Conference, the root causes of these symptoms of discrimination continue to be capitalism, white supremacy, colonialism, and nationalism. These oppressive systems will continue to plague our church and world and will still need to be addressed even if we achieved our most ideal outcome legislatively. We will still have work to do to transform our church into the new justice-seeking church we are envisioning."