Читать книгу The Secret Transcript of the Council of Bishops - Darren Cushman Wood - Страница 7

It is a late night, closed door meeting of the Council of Bishops during General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Earlier that day, the General Conference overturned its long-standing opposition to homosexuality in the Social Principles. Everyone expects that tomorrow other changes to the Discipline regarding homosexuality will pass. In anticipation, a substantial number of conservative delegates walked out of the plenary session. They have been meeting with representatives of liberal caucuses to develop a proposal for “amicable separation.” The bishops include:

• Bishop Anchor—a conservative who believes in maintaining the unity of the church through doctrinal agreement.

• Bishop Compass—President of the Council and moderator of the meeting.

• Bishop Credo—a conservative with ties to the evangelical caucuses who has been approached about leading a new conservative denomination if there is a separation.

• Bishop Embrace—a liberal with ties to the progressive caucuses who has been approached about leading a new liberal denomination if there is a separation.

• Bishop Hound—a cynic or a realist, depending on your perspective.

• Bishop Leeway—a liberal who believes in maintaining the unity of the church through reforms in the polity.

• Bishop South—a leader from one of the central conferences in the global south.

• Bishop Temperate—a moderate who believes in the unity of the church.