Memorandum Number 898
SUBJECT TO FINAL EDITING
Appeal of Bishop's Decision of Law in the Iowa Annual Conference Ruling Out of Order a Motion to Amend the Rules of Order of the Annual Conference.
Digest
There is no disciplinary authority for the Judicial Council to assume jurisdiction to consider a parliamentary ruling by a presiding bishop.
Statement of Facts
An amendment to proposed Conference Rules of Order was presented by a lay member of the annual conference. The presiding bishop, Charles W. Jordan, ruled the amendment out of order. The ruling of the presiding bishop was a parliamentary ruling rather than a decision of law. There is no disciplinary authority for the Judicial Council to assume jurisdiction to consider a parliamentary ruling by a presiding bishop. Accordingly, the Judicial Council declines to assume jurisdiction in this matter.
(Caveat: The appropriate method to challenge a parliamentary ruling by a presiding bishop is to appeal from the decision of the chair to the legislative body in which the ruling has been made.)