Karen Oliveto of Bethany UMC Faces Complaint for Performing Gay Marriage

By Chuck Myer
United Methodist News Service (UMNS)

San Francisco -- February 25, 2004

A complaint has been filed against a United Methodist clergywoman for performing a series of gay wedding ceremonies after City Hall issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Rev. Karen Oliveto conducted seven ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall and an eighth in the sanctuary at Bethany United Methodist Church during the Feb. 15 worship service. Oliveto, Bethany's pastor, said she was acting on requests by the eight gay or lesbian couples after City Hall announced it would issue the marriage licenses. The pastor, who knew all the couples, said she took the requests as "an opportunity to extend pastoral care" to her parishioners.

Her district superintendent, the Rev. Jane Schlager, informed her Feb. 19 that a complaint has been filed against her for "disobedience to the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church." A pastoral and administrative supervisory meeting in early March with Bishop Beverly Shamana of the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference will be the next step in the complaint process.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity of discussing and sharing with the church the miracle of God moving in our midst in San Francisco and creating a new world," Oliveto said at a Feb. 22 news conference, with her congregation standing behind her.

"As a pastor, I have been incredibly moved by this experience," she said.

The United Methodist Book of Discipline forbids the celebration of same-sex unions by the denomination's clergy and in its sanctuaries. The book states that homosexuals are persons of sacred worth, but it condemns the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching.

Bethany parishioner Michael Eaton notified Oliveto on Feb. 12 that marriage licenses were being issued at City Hall. Eaton, a lifelong United Methodist, immediately asked Oliveto to perform a wedding ceremony for him and his partner, Sean Higgins.

"We felt incredibly loved and supported by Karen," Eaton said, "and proud to have a pastor courageous enough to serve the pastoral needs of all her congregation." Eaton added that he and Higgins support "family values" and are adopting a child.

Oliveto said she only performed ceremonies for couples with whom she had a pastoral relationship or that she had counseled. The next day, Oliveto did a similar ceremony for Gloria Soliz and her partner of nine years, Julie Williamson, under the City Hall rotunda.

"She brought a sacredness to it that made it personal," Williamson said. Soliz was raised Methodist, but Williamson had no church background, and now says "the love and support from Bethany UMC has showed me what it's all about. They all want to celebrate with us."

Though approached by other couples wanting pastoral blessings, Oliveto said she politely refused. "I had to say, 'I'm sorry, I'm only here for my parishioners.' My goal is to be a faithful pastor, and to provide the deepest and most meaningful experiences that my members can have."

While acknowledging the denomination's ban on holy unions, Oliveto said she believes everything has changed with the issuance of government-sanctioned marriage licenses by the city. She cited Paragraph 331.1(i) in the Book of Discipline: "The decision to perform the (wedding) ceremony shall be the right and responsibility of the pastor." In addition, she cited Paragraph 162.H of the Social Principles, "Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation": "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons."

However, others disagree. The Rev. Jim Garrison of Sonora, Calif., president of the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship, said he is concerned when his clergy colleagues choose to disobey what he says are clear provisions in the Book of Discipline.

"These actions threaten the unity of our whole connection," he said of the weddings. "The General Conference (meeting in Pittsburgh April 27-May 7) is the only group that can make rules for the whole church, and individual pastors are not free to revise those rules. It's a question of accountability. If we can't enforce our rules, there will be a call for stronger rules."

The Rev. Harry Wood of Visalia, Calif., a retired pastor who in 2000 led an unsuccessful movement for the creation of a separate evangelical conference, said a clear separation must be maintained between civil matters and religious matters. "I'm for granting civil rights, but (these ceremonies) fly in the face of Judeo-Christian tradition."

But others believe traditions will change in the 21st century. "The world has shifted radically," Oliveto said. She said she was surprised both by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's quick actions and her same-sex parishioners' reactions. "It shows their support for the institution of marriage."

Oliveto has been pastor of the diverse Bethany congregation since 1992. In 2002, she earned a doctorate in religion and society from Drew University with a dissertation on "Movements of Reform, Movements of Resistance: Homosexuality and The United Methodist Church."

Oliveto said that performing the recent same-sex ceremonies was "the most moving thing I've ever done in my ministry - to finally be able to pronounce them legally wed."

While performing government-sanctioned gay weddings is unusual, Oliveto isn't the first United Methodist pastor to face a complaint for celebrating same-sex union services. Other pastors in recent years have faced similar complaints, which in some cases have led to well-publicized clergy trials and loss of credentials. However, not all cases go to trial. The Book of Discipline lays out a detailed process for handling complaints and a variety of possible resolutions.