Coalition calls on
Presbyterians
to review stated clerk's performance
The
Layman Online
Thursday,
October 9, 2003
PORTLAND,
Ore. – A performance review of Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick is
under way – and the Presbyterian Coalition wants Presbyterians to
participate in that review.
Kirkpatrick, who is eligible for re-nomination, will complete his
second, four-year term as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
in 2004.
The 215th General Assembly, which met in Denver in May, elected the
members of a Stated Clerk Review and Nomination Committee. That
committee, in conducting its review, is seeking comments on
Kirkpatrick's job performance.
In a paper titled "Issues and Concerns Regarding the Performance of
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick" that was handed out during
Gathering VII, the Coalition wrote that it "strongly encourages you
to respond. The most effective letters draw on issues that directly
impact the ministry of local churches and presbyteries, with specific
examples and experiences."
Besides urging Presbyterians to participate in the review, the Coalition
went further, listing what it called "some of the factors bearing
on Rev. Kirkpatrick's performance you may wish to address" in a
review letter. That listing includes:
- The Manual of the General Assembly makes the first duty of the
clerk to "preserve and defend the Constitution" (G2e).
- The clerk has failed to uphold fully the Constitution
(G-6.0106b), as well as the two Authoritative Interpretations of the
Constitution adopted by the General Assembly in the question of
ordaining self-affirming, unrepentant, practicing homosexual
persons. "The church is not of one mind on this issue."
This comment, made at the Syracuse General Assembly (1997), has led
to the attitude that G-6.0106b is not binding. This attitude
continues to this day on the part of those opposed to G-6.0106b.
- The clerk has remained silent in the face of his direct knowledge
of sessions, individual ministers and elders' public statements of
defiance of the Constitution with regard to: ordination standards;
same-sex marriages; opening communion to non-Christians.
- The clerk explains his silence by claiming that he has no
authority to address constitutional defiance. BUT (emphasis the
coalition) he finds his voice on constitutional matters by declaring
that ministers advocating withholding of per capita are in violation
of their ordination vows (e.g., letter to all presbytery stated
clerks, January 1, 2002), notwithstanding three General Assembly
Permanent Judicial Commissions affirming the right to withhold per
capita. (Minihan v. Presbytery of Scioto Valley; Central Pres.
Church v. Presbytery of Long Island; Westminster United Pres. Church
v. Presbytery of Detroit).
- The clerk has undermined the constitution and the actions of the
General Assembly in the Authoritative Interpretation of 1993 with
regard to the meanings of "chastity" and "repentance"
(Polity Reflection No. 19).
- The clerk and General Assembly moderator issued an official
pastoral letter advocating their litigation position regarding the
recall of the 214th General Assembly after being named as
respondents in a remedial PJC case (Westminster v. Office of Stated
Clerk, GAPJC 215-12).
- The clerk has spoken without authorization of the General
Assembly; e.g., supporting a World Council of Churches letter
implicating President Bush and Prime Minister Blair as war
criminals.
Letters containing reviews of the stated clerk's performance should
be mailed by Oct. 15 to:
Rev. Kathy Runyeon
Presbytery of San Francisco
2024 Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704 |