A resolution of the United Methodist General Conference on its final day included a heartfelt apology to all who experienced sexual misconduct in the denomination’s congregations and ministries.

At the top legislative assembly of the nation’s second largest Protestant denomination, the Rev. Gary Graves, secretary of the General Conference, apologized on behalf of the church for the way United Methodist leaders have prevented people from being held accountable for sexual misconduct. It has perpetuated harm within local churches and other ministry settings and damaged the United Methodist connection, he stated.

“The United Methodist Church apologizes for the times we allowed our desire to protect the Church to outweigh our desire to care for victims and survivors of sexual misconduct. We have allowed polity and protection of the institutional Church to prevent us from holding persons accountable,” Graves said.

“We apologize for the times we have not listened to you, doubted your stories, ignored your wounds, and have not tended to your pain. We believe this has contributed to allowing an unsafe culture to exist.”

Submitted by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the apology was part of a resolution passed in the last hour of General Conference on May 3. It is to be offered in the spirit of offering healing for all affected.

“I am someone who works in the field of serving survivors of sexual violence,” Jesi Lipp, secretary of the Independent Commissions Legislative Committee, said about the legislation, noting this is the first step in committing to do no more harm. “People in our churches have suffered harm, and our church has compounded that harm in our silence.”

The denomination’s Social Principles maintain that sexual harassment is an exploitation of a power relationship that interferes with the moral mission of the church. However, people have been mistreated, abused and assaulted by church leaders — both clergy and lay.

Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone said the apology provides an opportunity for the church to acknowledge the harm done to survivors and victims of sexual misconduct.

“We have had services of lament,” Malone said. “We have had Thursdays in Black. We are a church that stands on the principles of ‘do no harm, do good and stay in love with God.’”

Not only was the apology statement read in its entirety during General Conference, but all United Methodist bishops around the world are to read the apology at their own upcoming annual conferences. Church leaders have also provided information and guidance online for parties involved in a sexual misconduct complaint process within the denomination. 

This article originally appeareed at UM News. 

Jessica Brodie is editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate and contributor to UM News.