A bishop of the United Methodist Church (UMC) the second largest protestant denomination in the US, with around 245 congregations of predominantly Hispanic origin is facing a church trial this week over multiple charges of financial fraud and harassment.
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, the UMC’s first-ever bishop of Latin-American origin and leader of the California-Nevada Conference or region of the United Methodist Church was suspended from her position as a church leader more than 18 months ago following the accusations leveled against her. Carcaño’s case marks the first time in the history of the church that a bishop is put on trial or a member of its clergy is imposed on such a long suspension. According to the church’s rule, clergy members may typically be suspended for up to 60 days.
Religion News Service release disclosed that She is being accused of four charges including disobedience to the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church; relationships and/or behavior that undermine the ministry of another pastor; harassment including but not limited to racial and or sexual harassment; and fiscal malfeasance. The four charges were presented by the trial’s presiding officer retired Bishop Alfred Gwinn.
A member of the financial council said Bishop Carcao used church funds to renovate her personal residence without the church’s consent. She is also accused of interfering improperly with the California-Nevada conference board of trustees over the decision about the Berkeley, California-based Trinity United Methodist Church’s property.
“We exhausted every option at the annual conference level to resolve this and we saw evidence of inappropriate use of funds, ” said Kristin Stoneking, chair of the Council on Finance and Administration for the conference.
The 69-year-old Bishop is being tried by a jury of 13 clergy members. She faces complete dismissal from her position if found guilty.
The trial is anticipated to conclude on Friday.