Just days after charges were dropped against one Methodist minister for performing a same-sex wedding, a formal complaint has been filed against a Methodist bishop for exactly the same reason. Bishop Melvin Talbert is alleged to have violated the “sacred trust” of his office by marrying two men in Alabama whom the Church had previously refused to marry.
While Talbert is not the first Methodist clergyman to face charges for performing a same-sex wedding, his case is significant because he is a bishop. The charges also highlight the rift within the Methodist Church over marriage equality. Another bishop, Martin McLee, just called upon the Church to stop exactly these type of prosecutions, having dismissed the charges against Rev. Thomas Ogletree for performing his own son’s wedding to another man.
A supervisory team will review the charges against Talbert. “We need the whole Church to respect the supervisory process and uphold it in prayer,” said Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, who is in charge of the process. “Everyone involved takes their role very seriously and is working for a just, healing and faithful outcome.”
Talbert married Joe Openshaw and Bobby Prince, an Alabama couple, despite being told by the presiding bishop not to do so. “I am truly saddened that a complaint has been filed over what was one of the most love filled and happiest days of my life,” said Openshaw.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Even more saddening (and maddening) is that the Talbert would be the target of charges. The retired bishop has a long and distinguished career as a minister and civil rights leader, having spent three nights in a jail cell with Martin Luther King Jr. after they were arrested at a sit-in. Somehow we doubt that whoever his accuser might be has anything like the same track record.
Photo credit: Reconciling Ministries Network
Dakotahgeo
THIS… is going to be fun to follow! It will be interesting to see what strategy the UMC hierarchy uses to allow absolution to one Bishop, minister, and Conference and then has to draw the line (?) on another Conference with a different outcome?! It tain’t gonna be pretty, folks! If I were the Church headquarter qaurterbacks together and agree that this crap is silly, and throw the entire portion of the CrockBook of Discipline out the window that allows this skullduggerous garbage. Another romcom series in the making!
Ridpathos
@Dakotahgeo: I understood like 5% of what you were saying.
Anyway, ironically, what religious folk have feared may come to pass: gay marriages happening in churches. But it won’t be by gays suing for equal access to church services, but by congregants who take matters into their own hands and the leadership being forced to figure out how to deal with this.
Not that I would ever want to get married in a place whose doctrine forbids my existence.
Dakotahgeo
Interesting that you only understand 5% of my comment, but not surprising. You seem to be not only non-Methodist but also non-Christian! Not surprising at all… get an education in things theological and doctrinal!
George M Melby, M.Div. Pastor/Hospital-Hospice Chaplain