Reprieve could see Verryn back in the pulpit soon
Thabiso Thakali, Saturday Star, Johannesburg, 30 January 2010
A week after the storm over his suspension by the Methodist Church, controversial cleric Paul Verryn has won a reprieve which could see him back in the pulpit soon.
Verryn's lawyers, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), revealed yesterday that his disciplinary hearing had been postponed indefinitely.
Verryn's disciplinary hearing, which was set to be heard by three ordained ministers and four lay members of the church, was due to begin this coming Monday.
Instead, Verryn will now face off with his seniors, presiding Bishop Ivan Abrahams and district discipline registrar Jeff Matthee, in an arbitration.
The arbitration proceedings will be conducted by a panel of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.
The outcome of the arbitration will be binding between all the parties involved and will be followed by mediation.
At the centre of dispute is the Methodist Church's decision to suspend Verryn for taking the initiative last month to have a court appoint a legal curator for the interests of children staying at the Central Methodist Church in central Joburg. He is also accused of breaching an instruction not to speak to the media.
"The arbitration panel will consider Reverend Verryn's request that the decisions to charge and suspend him be reviewed and set aside," said the LRC's Jason Brickhill.
"Verryn has also requested that the dispute between the presiding bishop and himself be referred to mediation."
This comes as calls grew for the withdrawal of charges against Verryn.
It also comes as congregants and ministers within the broader Methodist Church appeared to be divided on the action taken by the Church's leadership.
Some Methodists believed the row over Verryn was part of the wider split over several issues including sheltering immigrants within the mission.
The SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and National Union of Metalworkers of SA this week joined in the chorus.
"We share the view of the Legal Resources Centre and others that the two 'charges' against Verryn are without substance, and should be immediately withdrawn and apologies offered," Samwu's Stephen Faulkner said.
Verryn's lawyers could not be drawn to comment whether the postponement meant Verryn could now resume his duties with immediate effect.
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