Dell could be expelled as a Methodist minister  MESSAGE BOARDS: Gay rights Religion today

March 26, 1999
Web posted at: 12:50 p.m. EST (1750 GMT)

In this story: 'A mockery of church law' Conflict with 'pastoral need' Membership divided RELATED STORIES, SITES

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- The Rev. Gregory Dell admits he ignored the rules of the United Methodist Church when he performed a marriage for a homosexual couple, but says it was his duty to do so.

Dell, 53, was expected to testify Friday at his church trial for presiding over the "holy union" of two Chicago men last September, a month after the United Methodist leaders banned same-sex ceremonies.

The case is the first test of the ban, which was prompted by the 1998 trial of another United Methodist Church minister who performed a same-sex union in Nebraska.

"My appointment as a pastor had to take precedence over a rule which I believe -- and I hope the court will agree -- is a greater violation of my ministry than keeping the rule," said Dell before the trial began Thursday.

Dell has pleaded innocent to the charge of disobedience.

Williams says Dell has made "a mockery of church law"

'A mockery of church law'

"I don't think there's any option left for me but to suggest the penalty that Greg himself suggested when he said, 'If I broke the discipline of the United Methodist Church, they should throw me out,'" said the Rev. Stephen Williams, who is prosecuting Dell.

"So to quote the scriptures," Williams added, "'by your own words I will judge you.'"

During opening statements before the tribunal at a suburban Chicago church, Williams said Dell has made "a mockery of church law."

"You can't just break the law because you disagree with it," Williams told a jury of 13 pastors from northern Illinois.

Conflict with 'pastoral need'

The Rev. Larry Pickens, Dell's defense counsel, told jurors that the church has a long-standing history of ministers -- including founder John Wesley -- who have broken church law in an effort to better serve their parishioners.

"This, my brothers and sisters, is a case about what we do when a pastoral need and a church law conflict," Pickens said, nothing that a third of Dell's congregation at Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago are gay or lesbian.

A verdict was expected no later than Saturday. If found guilty, Dell's 30-year career as a pastor in the Methodist church could end.

"It's scary. It's invigorating. It's draining," said Keith Eccarius, one of the men who exchanged vows before Dell. "It's probably the most important issue our church has to deal with at this time."

Creech greets a parishioner

Membership divided

Those who support the ban agree on the issue's importance.

"There are already people who've left the church or are planning to because of the advertisement of this trial," said the Rev. Kent Svendsen, a Methodist pastor from rural Ashton and a leader in the church's "confessing movement," which believes homosexuals can be converted to heterosexuality.

"The issue is not to exclude or attack people who are different, but to help them heal," Svendsen said.

Dell attended Duke University's Divinity School with another Methodist minister, the Rev. Jimmy Creech.

It was Creech's 1998 trial over a same-sex union at his former Nebraska church that prompted Methodist leaders to codify a "social principle" that had only advised against blessing same-sex unions.

Creech, who is attending the trial, was acquitted. He was allowed to keep his pulpit but is now on leave from the church.

Reporter Lisa Price and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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