N E W S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release: July 14, 2003
Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
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Statement by the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
Regarding Cathedral of Hope MCC and Rev. Michael Piazza
July 14, 2003
On Sunday, July 13, 2003, Rev. Michael Piazza informed the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
that he was resigning his credentials as a clergyperson of
the denomination. On Monday, July 14, 2003, the UFMCC was
officially notified that a congregational meeting of
Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church (COHMCC) is
scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2003, for the purpose of
considering disaffiliation with the denomination.
The UFMCC regrets the decision of the leaders of COHMCC to
call a congregational meeting for the purpose of
considering disaffiliation.
The UFMCC also acknowledges that Rev. Michael Piazza
resigned his credentials with the UFMCC during the course
of an ongoing clergy judiciary process in the matter of a
complaint brought against him.
Concerns Expressed by Leaders of Cathedral of Hope MCC
Leaders of COHMCC have asserted in a statement on the
COHMCC website on Sunday, July 13, 2003, that they sought a
meeting with UFMCC officials by telephone conference call
to "redeem the process, but THEY refused to meet with us."
Here is additional information from the perspective of the
UFMCC:
On July 10, 2003, Mr. Ken Upton, Executive Director of
Cathedral of Hope MCC, wrote to Rev. Elders Troy Perry and
Don Eastman saying that, in their opinion, the judiciary
process had failed. The letter urged them to participate in
a telephone conference call with COHMCC's Board of
Directors on Saturday, July 12, 2003.
On July 11, 2003, Rev. Elder Troy Perry sent a letter to
Mr. Ken Upton, Rev. Michael Piazza and the Board of
Directors of COHMCC assuring them, "I want to confirm that
we value the relationship of Cathedral of Hope MCC with the
UFMCC and wish to work together with leaders of COHMCC to
build a relationship that is positive and productive for
the important mission we share." Rev. Perry further
explained, "Because this concerns a judiciary case
underway, it is not the purview of the Moderator or Vice
Moderator to enter into the discussion. I hope you will
understand that we are held accountable for following the
UFMCC Bylaws and we try to do so with integrity and love."
In fairness to all the parties involved in a judiciary case
it is vital that UFMCC officers do not discuss a case in
progress.
In a supportive relationship, The UFMCC has had several
points of recent contact with leaders of COHMCC:
· On June 10, 2003, Rev. Elder Troy Perry and Rev. Elder
Don Eastman met for the substantial part of a day with Rev.
Michael Piazza and Rev. Mona West. The meeting, unrelated
to the pending judiciary case, was amicable and reflected a
positive sense of mutual respect and support.
· On June 29, 2003, Rev. Elder Troy Perry preached in the
morning worship services at COHMCC, and Rev. Jim Mitulski
of the UFMCC staff preached in the evening services. During
the services that day most of the members of the Board of
Elders and the entire Board of Administration visited
COHMCC.
· On June 1, 2003, Rev. Elder Lillie Brock sent an email to
Rev. Michael Piazza expressing appreciation for the
influence of Cathedral of Hope MCC in improving the quality
of worship in the churches of the region.
Administration of the UFMCC Clergy Judiciary Process
Public statements and correspondence of COHMCC leaders have
labeled the UFMCC Clergy Judiciary Process in the matter of
the complaint against Rev. Michael Piazza as being "flawed"
and "corrupted beyond redemption." The UFMCC strongly
disagrees.
The UFMCC expresses its complete confidence in Rev. Elder
Darlene Garner who has been responsible for the management
of the UFMCC Clergy Judiciary Process in the case of Rev.
Michael Piazza. Rev. Elder Garner has served as a member
of the Board of Elders of the UFMCC since 1993 and as Clerk
of the denomination from 1993 to 2003. She is highly
regarded throughout the UFMCC for her integrity and has an
excellent reputation for diligence in matters of process.
Indeed, it was for this reason Rev. Elder Garner was asked
to administer this process.
The UFMCC confirms that the UFMCC Clergy Judiciary Process
was conducted in full accord with the requirements outlined
in the addendum to UFMCC Bylaws. From its beginning this
process has been administered without prejudice toward any
individual.
Because of the complexity of the complaint, a determination
was made in accordance with the provisions of the judiciary
process to use licensed, competent, professional
investigators. Statements attributed to the investigators
in the COHMCC website of July 13, 2003, have been denied by
those investigators.
The investigation process began in early May 2003 and
required two extensions of time due to the complexity of
the complaint. On June 4, Rev. Piazza and the complainant
were informed that the investigators needed more time to
interview all of the individuals, to receive and review any
outstanding documentation that they had requested, and to
complete their report. On June 26, notice of a second
extension of time until July 15 was given to Rev. Piazza
and to the complainant. The additional extension was
needed in order to ensure that both Rev. Piazza and the
complainant had ample opportunity to submit any and all
information that either party believed would be helpful in
determining whether the complaints had been substantiated.
A final request for information was submitted by the
investigator to Rev. Piazza by July 1. The information
requested was not provided to the investigators prior to
Rev. Piazza's resignation on July 13.
Conclusion of the UFMCC Clergy Judiciary Process
The decision of Rev. Michael Piazza to resign his
credentials with the UFMCC two days prior to completion of
the investigation effectively ends the UFMCC Clergy
Judiciary Process in the matter of the complaint against
him.
The UFMCC will hold all facts obtained during the
investigation as confidential, unless otherwise legally
compelled.
All allegations and evidence obtained during the UFMCC
Clergy Judiciary Process to date will be retained in the
file of the clergy person against whom the complaint was
made.
In Preparation for the Congregational Meeting
The UFMCC is committed to providing information and support
that will help the congregants of Cathedral of Hope MCC
have as much information as possible and discern the best
possible course for their future. If there are those who
feel it is best to leave the global MCC community, we
affirm that choice and pray God's abundant blessings on
their future ministry. For those who wish to remain a part
of MCC, the UFMCC will offer the encouragement and support
of this vital worldwide movement.
A representative of the UFMCC will be in Dallas to meet
with the congregation on Wednesday, July 23, 2003,
beginning at 8:00 PM in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of
Hope MCC. The denominational representative of the UFMCC is
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, who may be contacted by phone at
617-448-2396 or
613-847-2007. Her email
address is
revdianefisher@mccchurch.org. Rev. Elder Fisher will be
in Dallas from July 16 through July 28 and will be
available for each of the Congregational Meetings of the
Cathedral of Hope MCC and will be available to meet with
interested congregants who want more information from UFMCC. (END)
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