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Conference cancels trial of Indiana pastor, drops charge

 


Conference cancels trial of Indiana pastor, drops charge

May 18, 2005

By Daniel R. Gangler*

INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS)—An agreement among United Methodists in Southern Indiana has averted a May 19 church trial for the clergyman charged with sexual harassment.

Indiana United Methodist Bishop Michael J. Coyner announced May 18 that the church trial of the Rev. Larry Martin of Jeffersonville has been cancelled. Martin, who had been charged with sexual harassment—a chargeable offense for ordained ministers—was to be tried May 19 at Trinity United Methodist Church in New Albany, Ind.
 
In an announcement to trial participants, Coyner said, “By mutual agreement of the parties involved, the charge of sexual harassment against the Rev. Larry Martin has been withdrawn by the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. No church trial will be held. There are no charges or complaints against Rev. Martin.”
 
Coyner also said, “Part of our agreement is, as usual in these cases, not to disclose the terms of the mutual agreement.” The agreement averting the trial was reached May 17.
 
Martin was charged March 6 and suspended from all pastoral duties at Wesley United Methodist Church in Jeffersonville. Retired Bishop Joseph E. Pennel Jr. of Franklin, Tenn., had been tapped as presiding officer (judge) of the case against Martin, and May 19 was set as the trial date.

The trial was part of a lengthy judicial process that began months ago when the Rev. Michael Biggs, the church’s New Albany District superintendent, first considered the complaint.

Without resolution, the complaint was heard next by then-Bishop Woodie W. White, who forwarded it to the Board of Ordained Ministry of the South Indiana Annual (regional) Conference.

Sexual harassment is described by the churchwide Commission on the Status and Role of Women as “a continuum of behaviors that intimidate, demean, humiliate or coerce.” The definition is also noted in the church’s resolution “Sexual Abuse Within Ministerial Relationships,” which was revised and readopted in 2004 for the Book of Resolutions.

*Gangler is director of communications for the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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