United Methodist Church elects first gay bishop, breaching church rules against gay ministers

The United Methodist Church elected its first openly gay bishop during the Western Jurisdiction's quadrennial meeting held in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday, July 15.

The Rev. Karen Oliveto, pastor of San Francisco-based Glide Memorial Church, was elected bishop with 88 votes despite the church's prohibition against ordaining "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" as ministers. Oliveto is married to Robin Ridenour, a deaconess at the California-Nevada Conference.

"The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church," the church's Book of Discipline states.

Last May, the UMC voted to review church laws regarding homosexuality. Oliveto's election while the review is presently ongoing solicited varied reactions from the church community.

Lonnie Brooks from the Alaska Conference considered Oliveto's election as the Western Jurisdiction's way of becoming independent from the UMC and cautioned that it could case a split.

"What they haven't given much thought to is that this will also cause a split in the West. We have some of the strongest red states here," Brooks said in a statement.

Good News vice president Rev. Thomas Lambrecht said the Western Jurisdiction is in effect renouncing its association with the UMC.

"If our covenant is no longer in force, we will be forced to live into a new reality in our denomination," Brooks said.

Wesley Hingano, son of the Rev. Sisofina Hingano, said the day Oliveto got elected bishop is "a beautiful day." His father had withdrawn from the election to give way to Oliveto because he wanted to see homosexuals in church "walk freely."

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said Oliveto's election "raises significant concerns and questions of church polity and unity."

"Being a self-avowed, practicing homosexual is a chargeable offense for any clergyperson in The United Methodist Church, if indeed this is the case," Ough said in a statement, adding that the Council will protect the involved clergy's due process. "Our differences are real and cannot be glossed over, but they are also reconcilable. We are confident God is with us, especially in uncharted times and places."

The newly elected bishop thanked the delegates who voted for her.

"I think at this moment I have a glimpse of the realm of God," Oliveto said. She added that as long as people feel like they don't belong in the church because of their sexuality, race, social standing and other factors, then the church's work is not done.