New Developments Shape UMC Unity in the Philippines

by

UMC Future

United Methodist relations in the Philippines have taken turns toward maintaining church unity that hold implications for the entire denomination.

The Philippines Central Conference posted a public document Jan. 29 on its Facebook page announcing an interpretation by the Council of Bishops about Paragraph 2553, which outlines a process to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. According to the letter circulated by Bishops Rodel M. Acdal, Ruby-Nell M. Estrella and Israel Painit, the Council has decided that Paragraph 2553 only applies to United Methodist congregations in the United States, not to the international regions of the Philippines, Europe and Africa.

The Philippines bishops' letter was accompanied by a letter from Bishop Thomas Bickerton of New York, president of the Council of Bishops, explaining the council's interpretation. The Philippines' bishops' letter also said that all United Methodist bishops in the central conferences of Europe, Africa and Asia concurred in the interpretation.

Insight's requests of the Philippines bishops for further explanation of the ruling's background have not been answered. Also, to date, there has been no public reply to the Council of Bishops' interpretation from the two major promoters of UMC disaffiiation, the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church. There also has yet to be any indication that the bishops' interpretation will come before the church's "high court," the Judicial Council. The Council of Bishops interpretation could be considered a "ruling of law," a classification that triggers automatic review by the Judicial Council.

Previouusly, on Feb. 22, bishops and cabinets of the Baguio and Davao episcopal areas posted letters on Facebook congratulating St. John UMC in Quezon City for a public affirmation that it will remain in the United Methodist denomination. This conflict was the first major public indication of disaffiliation efforts in the Philippines. St. John elected a new church council on March 5, according to a Facebook post.

On March 9, St. John UMC posted an update to its earlier statement on the split:

Bishops Acdal (Baguio Area) and Painit (Davao Area) and their respective cabinets greeted the St. John statement with enthusiastic affirmations.

The Baguio statement reads in part:

"The Baguio Episcopal Area Cabinet stands in solidarity with the leaders, church workers and members of ST. JOHN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Cubao, Quezon City who choose to stay with The United Methodist Church. In the midst of the current challenges our church is facing and the aggravating efforts of those who espouse disaffiliation, we express our full support to those who 'remain loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church' (Services of the Baptismal Covenant of The United Methodist Church).

"...We vow to protect our connection in our respective capacities against all disinformation brought about by those who espouse disaffiliation. Our prayers will be for God’s healing to set upon the fellowship of St. John United Methodist Church, its leaders, workers and members; and for the whole United Methodist Church."

Davao Area Bishop Painit's statement likewise affirmed St. John UMC:

"... I am writing this letter with overflowing love in my heart and extend my deep appreciation and support to all of you for remaining committed to your baptismal covenant: to be loyal to Jesus Christ through the United Methodist Church.

"Indeed, our beloved United Methodist Church is going through a challenging time. We continue to struggle with how we can faithfully be in ministry with our LQBTQ+ siblings, especially in same-sex marriage. We have diverse opinions on this, and for over 40 years, we have fumbled and stumbled to find common ground as a church. We have inadvertently harmed each other, and the Body of Christ is in pain. Even as we await the 2024 General Conference – the only body officially speaking for UMC – several local church leaders are unilaterally deciding to leave our beloved church. And while it is painful to see our members leave, we need to respect their decision (with the hope that they were well informed). We who remain in the UMC family must be strong, care for each other, including the church properties entrusted to us, and continue our role in God's mission.

1 Corinthians 12:26 reads, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it: if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (NIV) This splintering in Christ's body affects our witness. The present situation is not in harmony with the prayer of Christ in John 17:20-21 that "all may be one."

"Amid disunity, I am urging you to be ambassadors of Christ to bring reconciliation and hope to all the communities we serve. Let us continue to be a loving, gracious, and welcoming congregation that welcomes and ministers to ALL people so that ALL might have a saving relationship with Jesus. Many of you may experience exhaustion, but Apostle Paul encourages us to "not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV). Hold on and have hope because God will always be with us."

The Philippines has been targeted by the WCA and the GMC with disaffiliation efforts. As in the United States, UMC leaders in the Philippines have struggled against WCA and GMC propaganda that the UMC will forsake its historic Christian doctrines contained in the church's constitution. By stoking fears, UMC leaders contend, WCA and GMC proponents have falsely characterized the denomination.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, an online journal she founded in 2011 as a channel for news and views from marginalized and under-served United Methodists.