We the undersigned Bishops wish to affirm the commitment made at our consecration to the vows to uphold the Discipline of the church. However, we must confess the pain we feel over our personal convictions that are contradicted by the proscriptions in the Discipline against gay and lesbian persons within our church and with our ordained and diaconal ministers. Those sections are paragraphs 71F (last paragraph); 402.2; 906.12; and footnote, p. 205.
We believe it is time to break the silence and state where we are on this issue that is hurting and silencing countless faithful Christians. We will continue our responsibility to the order and discipline of the church but urge our United Methodist Churches to open the doors in gracious hospitality to all our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Bishop Susan M. Morrison
Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader
Bishop C. Dale White
Bishop Fritz Mutti
Bishop Roy I. Sano
Bishop Melvin G. Talbert
Bishop William W. Dew. Jr.
Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt
Bishop Donald A. Ott
Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley, Jr.
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson
Bishop Calvin D. McConnell
Bishop Jutith Craig
Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel
Describing the statement of 15 United Methodist Bishops ending their silence as "courageous and an historic milestone," Mark Bowman, National Coordinator of the Reconciling Congragation Program stated that this step helps to focus the discussion of full inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons in The United Methodist Church. "While we applaud this affirming action, we are cautious in our optimism. We continue to call upon all United Methodists to open the doors to all persons regardless of sexual orientation. The United Methodist Church has for many years been officially unwelcoming to gay, lesbian and bisexual persons causing great pain and anguish not only to them, but their families and friends as well," Bowman said.
The Reconciling Congregation Program is an independent movement of 130 United Methodist churches and ministries which publicly welcome all persons regardless of sexual orientation. More than 10,000 Reconciling United Methodists have proclaimed their support for this grassroots movements which is among the fastest growing in the church today.