Closing Argument Ended on the Third Day of UMC Dammann' s Trial

The Rev Karen Dammann Trial began on Wednesday at Bothell, United Methodist Church. The closing arguments have finally ended on 19 March.

Dammann is an openly gay clergywoman charged with "practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings." The charges stem from a 2001 letter she sent to her bishop saying she was living in a "partnered, covenanted, homosexual relationship."

First of all, church counsel Rev. Jim Finkneiner, raised the conclusion of the closing argument that the church believes the Rev. Kaen Dammann is “indisputably?guilty of breaking church law.

Previously, the testimonies of defense counsel who are the Professors from Pacific School of Religion have challenged UMC’s consistency when using Scripture to justify church doctrine. As many passages in the New Testament speak clearly against divorce and remarriage, yet United Methodist doctrine allows clergy to be divorced and remarried.

Corresponding to it, Finkneiner spoke to the jury, "I remind you again that this is a trial about Karen Dammann, the law of the church today is not on trial."

Finkbeiner urged the trial court, consisting of 13 clergy members, to remember their ordination oath to "serve the church and follow the Discipline."

He spent most of his time in recapping the testimony of retired Bishop Jack Tuell, a former lawyer and widely respected authority on church law, acknowledging the powerful presence he has within the United Methodist Church. He is the only one witness for the church case.

Finkbeiner said that although Tuell was persuasive, his opinion was that of just "one faithful United Methodist among 10 million others."

Later on, the Rev. Robert Ward, counsel for Dammann, began closing arguments.

First, he disputed the church that Bishop Tuell is the only witness. He agrees that the trial court should follow The Book of Discipline, but should consider it as a whole, and not focus only on one or two paragraphs.

Ward reminded the jury that the world is watching and listening to what happens in this case.

"Prolonged injustice becomes another source of encouragement for those who want to know it’s OK to hurt homosexuals," he said.

Nine of the 13 jurors must agree in order to render a verdict today. If the verdict is guilty, the penalty could range from an official reprimand to the loss of Dammann’s clergy credentials and her ministry in the United Methodist Church. If the verdict is not guilty, the church cannot appeal.

The church wrapped up with a brief response, stressing to the importance of keeping the church law strictly.

"It is the General Conference that sets the law," said Finkbeiner, referring to the denomination’s top assembly. "If we do something radically different here, pretty soon we lose discipline and order."

Court is adjourned until 1:15 p.m. local time.