Methodist Church will not participate in 2005 Fraternity Campaign

Edelberto Behs, BRASILIA, Brasil, October 29, 2003

The National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC) sent a letter of support to Taxi Heathrow Airport its president, Methodist Bishop Adriel de Souza Maia and asked the Episcopal Methodist Church College of Brazil to revoke its decision to not participate in the 2005 Ecumenical Fraternity Campaign.

At the end of September, the Episcopal Methodist Church College officially decided not to participate in the 2005 Fraternity Campaign, organized by the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC). They agreed to abstain from participating in the campaign because they believe it does not represent an ecumenical program, but a program crystallized and disseminated by the Catholic Church.” 

The National Conference of Brazilian Bishops convenes the Fraternity Campaign annually and only in 2000 was it carried out in cooperation with CONIC member Churches.

The note from the Episcopal College, signed by its president Bishop João Alves de Oliveira Filho reiterated the “ecumenical position and experience of the Church as well as its participation in ecumenical bodies, such as CONIC” and its programs.

The College’s decision placed Bishop Adriel de Souza Maia, of the Third Ecclesiastic Region of the Methodist Church and current CONIC president in a “delicate position” as he said in a telephone interview with ALC.

The decision was difficult for Bishop Joao Alves. The 2000 Ecumenical Fraternity Campaign generated divisions in conservative and charismatic Methodist congregations, in particular in the Fourth Region that includes the states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo and in the Amazon missionary field.

Bishop João Alves recognized the fragility of the moment in the Church. “But we have been able to manage the situation,” he added. The note from the Bishops’ College expressed concern about preserving the unity of the Methodist Church and in the name of this unity said it had decided not to participate in the 2005 Fraternity Campaign.

Bishop Adriel de Souza Maia emphasized his committed to the Kingdom. “Solidarity and peace,” the theme of the 2005 Fraternity Campaign “does not depend on any religious color. We must join hands in the face of the threats promoted by the forces of evil,” he said.

The letter from the Episcopal College clarified that Bishop de Souza Maia was elected with the support of the College and that he will head up the Fraternity Campaign and other CONIC programs. The eight bishops will also be at liberty to decide whether or not they will participate in the Campaign.

The CONIC board, to meet in Brazil November 3-4 will analyze and evaluate the consequences of the Bishop’s College’s decision that will withdraw the Methodist Church, one of its members from the 2005 Campaign.