Jonathan LeMaster-Smith

Judicial Council Decision 1499 is related to Calendar Item 296 which amends ¶409 to state “A retired bishop is a bishop of the church in every respect and continues to function as a member of the Council of Bishops at their own expense in accordance with the Constitution and other provisions of the Discipline.” (the addition is italicized)

The Judicial Council rules that this amendment to the Discipline violates ¶47, which states that all bishops (including both active and retired bishops) are authorized to be part of the Council of Bishops. And their expenses should be paid.

And, thus, as the decision reads: Petition 20299 (Calendar Item 296) as amended violates ¶ 47 and is unconstitutional, null, and void.