Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco briefly served on the Commission on a Way Forward. He spoke with UM News as part of “Seeing a Way Forward,” a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.
Way Forward Bishop Francisco
Filipino United Methodists greet GC2019 with anxiety. Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco said that many of his church members are looking toward the upcoming called special General Conference with both fear and anticipation, but that many are willing to accept whatever decision the delegates make.
One Church Plan passage won’t affect Philippine church If the 2019 special General Conference passes the One Church Plan, Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco said it may not have much effect on the Philippine church — even though same-sex marriage is not legal in the country.
Bishop describes his work on a global Book of Discipline Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco, who is part of the committee looking into creating a global Book of Discipline, said a main goal is to identify which parts of the church’s law book are adaptable to different contexts, and which cannot be altered.
‘Let’s listen to God’s leading.’ Though there is much anxiety leading up to the special called 2019 General Conference, Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco hopes everyone will arrive with “open minds and open hearts.”
Church mission is ‘the main thing.’ Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco said that if United Methodists can learn to respect one another’s differences, they can focus on what unites us: Christ and the mission of the church.
This is the 16th in a series of video interviews by United Methodist News Service. View all interviews.