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Jul 17, 2008 11:53 am US/Central
Methodists Expected To Debate Bush Library
DALLAS (AP) ―
Fireworks were expected Thursday at a Methodist conference shaping up as a debate among clergy and others over whether George W. Bush's presidential library should be built at Southern Methodist University.
Although a church council last year approved leasing land for the project, opponents were expected to challenge that decision at a conference of the church's South Central Jurisdiction, which owns the land.
SMU and the College of Bishops believe the mission council's decision in March 2007 was final. Since then the Dallas university -- named the site of the library complex in February -- has proceeded in planning the project with the Bush Foundation.
Some Methodist ministers and SMU faculty say the decision should have been made by the full jurisdiction, which has 290 delegates -- ministers and members of churches in eight states.
On Thursday the jurisdiction is to discuss three petitions. Two that would prevent leasing or selling land for the library complex have been recommended by committees for rejection, although delegates could approve them anyway.
If one of those petitions is approved, SMU would likely challenge the delegates' authority, so it's unclear if it the project would be derailed.
Many Methodist ministers and SMU professors support the library and museum but oppose the public policy institute, which the Bush Foundation has said would further the views of the president's administration. Opponents believe his policies -- including the Iraq war and harsh interrogation techniques of military prisoners -- conflict with church teachings.
Opponents also say the think tank would not meet SMU or church rules because it would not be used for educational or religious purposes and would be outside the university's control.
The petition recommended by a committee for approval supports the mission council's action but expresses caution about the institute, saying it does not speak for the jurisdiction, SMU or church. It asks the university to give a progress report at the next jurisdiction meeting -- delegates meet every four years -- on the relationship between the institute and its impact on SMU.
"Furthermore, the South Central Jurisdiction expects the institute to function in a manner that protects the integrity of both Southern Methodist University and the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church," the petition reads.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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