Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2019
The Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference is looking into a question that ineligible persons may have received credentials to vote during the Special Session of the General Conference. The Secretary of the General Conference, the Rev. Gary W. Graves, recently became aware of the concerns after receiving an inquiry about the registration and credentialing process.
Following consultation with the chair of the Commission on the General Conference, an in-depth review was initiated to prepare the delegate attendance records as required by the rules of the General Conference. The secretary, along with the business manager, General Conference staff and an independent auditing firm, cross-checked credential cards, name badge bar code scans, attendance forms, reserve delegate seating forms and other resources. Upon completion of the review, it appears possible that a very limited number of ineligible persons who were correctly denied credentials by General Conference staff were later able to procure them.
"We take the integrity of the legislative process very seriously, and the breakdown in the process is troubling," said Graves. "Had the concerns been received while the General Conference was in session, the matter would have been taken to the Committee on Credentials who would have brought a recommendation to the plenary session for resolution of the question. However, since the General Conference is not in session, the matter is being referred to the Commission on the General Conference."
Duncan McMillan, chair of the Commission on General Conference, said the executive committee of the Commission is considering next steps and recommendations to the full Commission. "We are committed to working to strengthen the credentialing process," said McMillan.
The parliamentarian who served at the Special Session is being consulted regarding any potential impact this situation may have on the legislative action which resulted in the substitution of the minority report for the legislative committee's report in the processing of petition 90066 since the vote to substitute was a two-vote difference of 402-400. The Council of Bishops has previously requested a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council regarding constitutionality of this petition.
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Media contact:
Diane Degnan [email protected]
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)
