The appeal date has been set for the United Methodist Church to hear oral arguments in the third trial regarding Irene Elizabeth Stroud – the lesbian minister who was defrocked for violating the denomination’s prohibition of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" in the US.

In a church trial last December, Stroud was found guilty and was stripped of her clergy credentials. However, she won an appeal on April 29 on "legal errors," and was reinstated.

The church then appealed the second ruling.

The case is now in the hands of the Judicial Council – the denomination’s highest court – which will hear arguments on Oct. 27 at 9a.m. at the Stansbury Building on the Westchase Campus of First United Methodist Church, at 10570 Westpark Dr. in Houston, US.

According to the United Methodist News Service, anyone wishing to comment on a matter coming before the council may submit a brief but added that doing so does not make one a party to the proceeding.

The briefs must be submitted to Keith Boyette, the Judicial Council's secretary, at 10501 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, Va. 22553. Ten copies of each brief must be sent and signed by the person submitting the brief.








Theresa Kavenga
Christian Today Correspondent