Stroud case dismissed

Stroud case dismissed

Synod of Mid-Atlantic will consider the Stroud case [12-6-02]

The Washington Times reports that the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic has begun a review of the decision of the Presbytery of Baltimore not to take action against the Rev. Donald Stroud, who has been accused the attorney Paul Jensen of violating provision G-6.0106b of the Book of Order.

The Rev. Barry Van Deventer, Synod executive, is quoted as saying, "We felt that a special review was in order, but not because we concluded they did anything wrong. ... This is a review of the process, not a judicial review."

You may note that the story has a few little goofs. That All May Freely Serve, for instance, has been renamed " That All May Freely Service."

Baltimore Presbytery provides evidence against charges by Paul R. Jensen [12-2-02]

Recent reports on the case against the Rev. Donald Stroud have included charges that Paul Jensen, the lawyer who first filed complaints against Stroud, was not properly informed of his opportunity to testify against Mr. Stroud.

The Presbytery took action on November 21, 2002, to release a number of documents which indicate quite clearly that Mr. Jensen was indeed invited to testify, that he received the letter of invitation, but that he is now claiming not to have been properly invited.

Baltimore Presbytery judicial commission members recommend no charges be filed against Donald Stroud
[11-19-02]

Two members of Baltimore Presbytery's Permanent Judicial Commission designated to review an investigating committee's report have concurred in an investigating committee's recommendation that no disciplinary charges should be filed against Donald E. Stroud, a gay Presbyterian minister who is on the staff of That All May Freely Serve.

Presbyterian Outlook provides a report.

Virginia attorney Paul Rolf Jensen, who filed the complaint that initiated the case (along with many others), has declared his outrage at the decision, saying "they have decided to use the Constitution as toilet paper."

Outlook reports on that, too.

Gay minister's case dismissed -- and continued

Complainant seeks review; accused restates defiance of G-6.0106.b

by Alexa Smith, Presbyterian News Service

[7-30-02]

LOUISVILLE -- June 30, 2002 -- Shortly after an investigating committee in Baltimore Presbytery decided not to bring charges against an openly gay minister, both parties in the dispute took action to keep it alive.

Paul Jensen, the Washington, DC, lawyer who filed the complaint, asked the presbytery court to review the committee's decision.

The Rev. Don Stroud, the accused, announced publicly that, as a matter of faith and conscience, he cannot comply with a provision of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Stroud was accused last September of "willfully and deliberately" violating his ordination vows and the constitutional clause (G-6.0106.b) that says unmarried clergy may not be sexually active. He also was charged with heresy. He is employed by That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS), a group working to eliminate barriers to the full participation of gays and lesbians in PC(USA) ministry.

The case against Stroud was among the first initiated by Jensen, who has made similar allegations against 15 other Presbyterians around the country who he says are openly defying the PC(USA) constitution. Most of the cases were filed during Holy Week in March.

In the other case filed earlier, an investigating committee in National Capitol Presbytery also decided against filing formal charges.

Shortly after the Baltimore committee's decision became public, Stroud -- who has waived his right of confidentiality -- issued a statement of refusal to comply with G-6.0106.b, which he said violates the theological premise that it is by the "grace of Jesus Christ alone" that lives are bound together in the church.

Jensen had no comment on his request for review.

An investigating committee's decision is subject to review only on grounds of procedural irregularity.

The decision was made public in the stated clerk's report to the Baltimore Presbytery during its June 27 meeting, according to the Rev. Phil Sorensen, the presbytery executive.

Sorensen said there was no discussion of the committee's decision.

A presbytery is required to investigate any complaint filed within its jurisdiction. The investigating committee decides whether to file formal charges with the presbytery's permanent judicial commission (PJC).

In his statement, Stroud said: "I cannot comply with G-6.0106.b of the Book of Order because to do so, for me, can come only at the price of denying my faith in God's grace in Jesus Christ. My conscience will not allow me to do such a thing."

In a section labeled, "My Personal Reactions to the Investigating Committee Report," he said that he is unwilling to engage in "works righteousness (celibacy) to earn God's favor."

"Is it an essential that I comply with an aberrant section of church polity that forces me to rely on anything except grace alone to be in full communion as a continuing member of presbytery?" he asked, continuing, "… I cannot but believe that the Presbytery of Baltimore in its own corporate conscience would ultimately decide otherwise."

Stroud, a member of the presbytery for three years, told the Presbyterian News Service that he is currently in a relationship.

The PJC has 90 days to respond to the request for a review.

For the full text of Stroud's statement, including his "Statement of Faith and Conscience in Refusal To Comply with G-6.0106b," check out the report from That All May Freely Serve.