Wisconsin Trial of United Methodist Clergywoman Postponed

Linda Lee, the resident bishop of Wisconsin, has postponed the trial of the Rev. Amy DeLong indefinitely. DeLong, an experienced and outstanding WI clergywoman is the latest person to be charged with disobeying church law by officiating at the union of two lesbians. She is also charged with being in a loving, committed relationship with her partner of 15 years.

Bishop Lee's reasons for postponing the trial, originally set for April 11, involve the Church (prosecuting) team: the resignation of the Counsel for the Church in mid-February (the 4th to resign), the recusal of the Presiding Officer, Bishop Bruce Blake, early in March and the inability of Bishop Lee to find a new bishop to preside by the April trial date.

On March 24, Bishop Lee stated that, "Rev. DeLong and her counsel have complied with all pre-trial deadlines in a timely fashion." Ermalou Roller, who serves on DeLong's defense team, reports that team's disappointment at the delay. Rev. DeLong has been waiting for more than a year to challenge unjust church law. She has recently been joined by 36 retired UM bishops who are petitioning our denomination to remove all offensive language about gays and lesbians from our Discipline.

For ongoing trial developments, to send Rev. DeLong an encouraging message and/or to contribute to her defense fund, go to http://www.loveontrial.org.