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November 1, 2006
Special Report on United Methodist Council of Bishops
Maputo, Mozambique November 1-6, 2006
By Stephen Drachler
United Methodist Bishops Gather in Mozambique for First Meeting
Outside U.S.
Individually and in groups, United Methodist bishops – including
Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner and his wife Marsha – from around the world
arrived over the past few days for the first full Council of Bishops’
meeting to be held outside United States’ territory. The meeting began
today.
With a delegation of 170, including bishops, general secretaries,
spouses and staff, the Council has filled the Hotel Avenida in downtown
Maputo.
Bishops and spouses exchanged warm greetings and hugs throughout the
luncheon and dinner hours Tuesday as they filled the dining room.
Some bishops received a special greeting as they arrived at Maputo’s
international airport on the outskirts of the city. Local United
Methodists surrounded them with song after they were processed by
Mozambique customs officials.
Tuesday, Oct. 31 was a warm and humid day with the temperature above
the 90 degree mark. More of the same is expected for the rest of the
week, local forecasters said. Maputo is located on the Indian Ocean on
Africa’s east coast.
Bishops Meet with President of Mozambique;
Share Focus on Eliminating Poverty in African Nation
United Methodist bishops from around the globe met with Mozambique
president Armando Emilio Guebuza in his office on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The 11-member delegation spent more than a half-hour with the
president in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, the day before their
semiannual meeting is due to begin.
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Houston, president of the Council, told
the Mozambique leader the church has a deep commitment to his country
and to Africa. She introduced each of the bishops to Guebuza. Most of
the bishops’ conferences have a direct ministry connection with
Mozambique.
Host Bishop Joao Somane Machado, who has had a long, cordial
relationship with the president, said the visit is significant in
Mozambique.
“The president was happy to know The United Methodist Church is
linking with United Methodists here, and we are linked to the broader
church,” Machado said. “We bring strength to Mozambique. The bishops’
coming here sends a strong message.”
Machado said the president told the group his government’s priorities
fit with the church’s priorities.
“The government works closely, in partnership with churches to tackle
poverty,” Machado said.
The Presbyterian president was elected in a peaceful election two
years ago, Machado said. “We changed governments and not a shot was
fired. It is something to be truly proud of.”
The meeting took place in the president’s reception room, a bright,
airy space inside the presidential compound in downtown Maputo. Dressed
in a bright blue suit with red tie, and wearing his trademark red AIDS
pin, Guebuza warmly greeted each of the bishop, gripping some of the
bishops’ hand with both of his.
The bishops’ visit came on a significant day for Mozambique. Later
Tuesday, the president presided over a ceremony finalizing the transfer
of the huge Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam on the Zambezi River from
Portugal to the Mozambique government. The dam produces electricity for
Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. After 470 years of colonial
Portuguese rule, Mozambique gained its independence in 1975.
In addition to Huie and Machado, other bishops in the delegation
included: Gregory Vaughn Palmer of Des Moines, Iowa; Peter D. Weaver of
Boston; John G. Innis of Liberia, Jose Quipungo of Angola; Roy I. Sano
of Washington, D.C.; Solito Toquero of the Philippines; Ann B. Sherer of
Lincoln, Neb.; Violet Fisher of Syracuse, N.Y., and A. Fritz Mutti of
Kansas City, Mo.
Mozambique President to Open Bishops’ Meeting in Maputo
Today’s opening worship had a definite presidential flavor to it as
Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza attended and offered
greetings to nearly 80 bishops from around the globe.
The worship service was held at a civic center in Maputo,
Mozambique’s capital.
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e-HUM Announcement copyright
2006 by Indiana Area United Methodist Communications.
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