BCO 33.3

33.3. 32-3

32-3. It is appropriate that with each citation the moderator or clerk call the attention of the parties to the Rules of Discipline (BCO 27 through 46) and assist the parties to obtain access to them. When a charge is laid before the Session or Presbytery, it shall be reduced to writing, and nothing shall be done at the first meeting of the court, unless by consent of parties, except: 1. to appoint a prosecutor, 2. to order the indictment drawn and a copy, along with names of witnesses then known to support it, served on the accused, and 3. to cite the accused to appear and be heard at another meeting which shall not be sooner than ten days after such citation. At the second meeting of the court the charges shall be read to the accused, if present, and he shall be called upon to say whether he be guilty or not. If the accused confesses, the court may deal with him according to its discretion; if he plead and take issue, the trial shall be scheduled and all parties and their witnesses cited to appear. The trial shall not be sooner than fourteen (14) days after such citation. Accused parties may plead in writing when they cannot be personally present. Parties necessarily absent should have counsel assigned to them.

For discussion

1. Put this answer in your own words, then say what it rules out — what belief is it written against?