Regarding the letter from Rev. Barbara G. Hager.

To the Editor:

I do enjoy seeing this place becoming a vehicle where we can discuss some of these issues in a public forum.

I would, however, assume that by making comments such as these in such a public forum, that Rev. Hager would need to recuse herself from any further judicial matters that cover these topics that will come before her PJC. I believe that is standard practice in both the ecclesial and secular bench.

Second, I believe that her comment “Simply stating "defiance" is not an action subject to discipline” is incorrect. There is a difference between being a self-affirming, practicing homosexual and saying that you will ordain self-affirming, practicing homosexuals. We have a history of judicial intervention in similar cases (Kenyon).

As well, she seems to indicate that the only standard for bringing an action on these matters involves actually witnessing someone in a same sex sexual encounter. Perhaps she ought to re-read Weir herself:

“Self-acknowledgment may come in many forms. In whatever form it may take, self-acknowledgment must be plain, palpable, and obvious, and details of this must be alleged in the complaint.”

I do look forward from hearing from her more now that she will not be involved in these judicial cases.