Memorandum Number 834

Request from Wisconsin Annual Conference on the Ruling of Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader on Whether the Annual Conference May Consider Enactment of a Resolution Prohibiting Homosexual Unions Which Would Have the Effect of Adding to the Discipline

Digest

The bishop did not render a decision of law but made a parliamentary ruling on a motion before the Annual Conference. As no decision of law was made, the Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction in this matter.

Statement of Facts

At the 1996 session of the Wisconsin Annual Conference a resolution prohibiting clergy from performing ceremonies for homosexual unions was presented. Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader ruled the resolution out of order.