A few weeks ago I wrote about the de-frocking of a popular Methodist minister after he performed a same-sex marriage for his gay son and his partner.
http://whateyethynk-politics.blogspot.com/2013/12/eye-recommend-defrocking-of-minister.html
At that time, Methodist church hierarchy seemed to expect the same results in similar cases that were awaiting judgement.
Turns out, there are some Methodist bishops who won't be joining the same-sex marriage witch hunt. Bishop Martin McLee, who heads the United Methodist Church's New York district announced he will not pursue the trial of Reverend Dr. Thomas Ogletree, who, like the ex-Reverend Frank Schaefer, was also charged with performing a same-sex marriage ceremony for his son and his partner. Bishop McLee made the announcement at a news conference, saying that trials over this issue would immediately cease in New York and calling on church officials across the country to stop similar prosecutions.
A spokesman for Rev. Ogletree said, "There's no talk of guilt or wrongdoing or any penalty. It's just the case goes away."
Mr. Schaefer is continuing his fight for LGBT members of the church. This is from Mr. Schaefer's closing statement to the Methodist church court that defrocked him:
He has since been welcomed as a guest speaker at Fopundry UMC in Washington C.C. and will be speaking and meeting with members of the church in Boulder, Colorado later this month.
Too bad the powers that be in Pennsylvania weren't brave enough to take the same stand in the trial of Frank Schaefer; but Bishop McLee's decision is one step, one very welcome step.
Update: Republican ACA Fight Continues to Crumble
Next week is looking to bring a victory of sorts for President Obama and the Affordable Care Act.
While Tea Party Republicans were focused on the Conservative Political Action Conference--where tired calls to continue the fight for full repeal of the ACA were the theme--establishment Republicans in Washington were putting the finishing touches on three bills that signal (finally!) a public, and in writing, Republican acknowledgement of the ACA as the law of the land. The bills, introduced by House Speaker John Boehner (R) on Friday, tackle elements of the law that both parties agree need to be improved: drafting errors, oversights and unintended consequences of the law.
Mr. Boehner has gotten a number of Republicans to join with Democrats so that the bills will be considered under a suspension of usual House rules, a sign that both parties do not expect much debate.
Tea Party-ers will undoubtedly continue to rant about the need to repeal the ACA while railing against party leadership for giving in to that "socialist in the White House." I expect there will be many Republicans who continue to promise a full repeal of the health care act "if I am elected;" but as more and more people sign up for health care and realize its benefits far outweigh its faults there will be fewer and fewer who buy into the Obamacare-must-go argument.
It will be a slow but welcome death.
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