We confirm that the disciplinary hearing in respect of our client, Rev Paul Verryn, has been postponed indefinitely.

The hearing is postponed pending arbitration of the dispute between our client and the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA), Ivan Abrahams, and the MCSA's District Discipline Registrar: Highveld and Swaziland, Mr Jeff Matthee. The arbitration proceedings will be conducted by the Connexional Arbitration Panel of the MCSA.

The Arbitration Panel will consider Rev Verryn's request that the decisions to charge and to suspend him be reviewed and set aside. Rev Verryn has also requested that the dispute between the Presiding Bishop and himself be referred to mediation.

We are not in a position to provide any further comment on this matter at this stage.