The College of Bishops in the Philippines Central Conference are "intensely opposed" to dissolution of the UMC, and presents in broad outline the features of a new UMC that they would welcome.
Here is UM News story; below their story is the resolution itself.
Filipino bishops back church unity
By Gladys P. Mangiduyos
Sept. 11, 2019 | UM News]
The Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops has signed a resolution “intensely” opposing dissolution of The United Methodist Church.
The bishops’ resolution recommended restructuring that would allow for regional autonomy to deal with divisive issues like homosexuality.
“From the beginning of the church in the New Testament, division and schism in the church are to be avoided and unity must be achieved and maintained,” the resolution reads.
Meeting Aug. 31 at United Methodist headquarters in Manila, the bishops agreed to submit the petition to General Conference.
Bishop Rodolfo Alfonso “Rudy” Juan, president of the Filipino College of Bishops, said the Philippines Central Conference is totally against dissolution of The United Methodist Church.
“We servant-bishops encourage our Filipino constituency to continually promote unity in our denomination,” he said.
The petition was signed by Juan, Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco (who participated via conference call) and retired Bishops Emerito P. Nacpil, Daniel C. Arichea, Solito K. Toquero and Jose C. Gamboa Jr.
Bishop Pedro M. Torio Jr., secretary of the College of Bishops, and retired bishops Leo A. Soriano and Benjamin A. Justo did not attend the meeting.
The resolution’s recommendation for restructuring The United Methodist Church into regional conferences is similar to a plan laid out by The Connectional Table in regards to a new U.S. structure.
“With our proposal for restructuring into regional conferences, we can exercise some form of autonomy to meet contextual realities in our specific regions. We then will have a regional Book of Discipline,” Juan said.
The resolution states that The United Methodist Church “will remain as one global church in which regional, central, annual and local conferences are organic parts, but have the authority to decide their witness, mission and ministry, thus, preserving locality and connectionality.”
Regional autonomy will allow United Methodists from central conferences — the seven church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines — to deal with the divisive issue of homosexuality, Juan said.
“It is our prayer that with some form of regional autonomy, we can find a workable solution and remain a united global denomination,” he said.
The resolution also called for the Council of Bishops to be retained for general and local oversight of The United Methodist Church.
Bishops in Africa also recently resolved not to support any proposed legislation or plans that may result in a split or dissolution of the church.
Retired Bishop Soriano, who had a prior commitment and could not attend the Filipino Council of Bishops meeting, talked to UM News by phone about the resolution. He said that being disciples of Christ is having one mission.
“Whether one is for or against homosexuality, the mission remains the same: that is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
“I believe the church would be more effective if it is united in doing the mission. However, if it becomes unavoidable, I will accept it. History tells us that while schism is inevitable, the splinters continue to do the mission.”
Mangiduyos is a communicator from the Philippines. News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor,
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
PHILIPPINES CENTRAL CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, We, United Methodists in the Philippines are intensely opposed to any move that dissolves the United Methodist Church. From the beginning of the Church in the New Testament, division and schism in the Church are to be avoided and unity must be achieved and maintained.
WHEREAS, in faith, United Methodism is apostolic and ecumenically generous. We must maintain this position if we are to be part of the Christian communities in the world.
WHEREAS, in polity, United Methodists have three elements in their structural legacy. They are:
(1) Locality or contextuality: that is why we have local churches, annual conferences and central conferences; being responsive to our missional context is obligatory.
(2) Connectionality in relationships; that is why there is a General Conference and a Council of Bishops; having a global identity and organic structure are necessary.
(3) Globality in inclusiveness; that is why the UMC reaches out in mutual relations with all governments and civil communities that promote Christian values and principles. Wesley said: “The world is my parish.”
WHEREAS, these structural legacies are to be maintained and promoted in any restructuring of the UMC, and they are all opposed to the move to dissolve the UMC.
WHEREAS, there is now a need to reimagine the future of United Methodism because the world both locally and globally has changed, and we need to take this change as the context for witnessing to our faith regionally, in doing our mission and living our life as a church.
WHEREAS, we recommend the following for restructuring the United Methodist Church:
(1) The UMC is to be restructured into regional conferences, within which will remain central conferences, annual conferences and local churches.
(2) The UMC will remain as one global church in which regional, central, annual and local conferences are organic parts; but have the authority to decide their witness, mission and ministry, thus, preserving locality and connectionality.
(3) The Council of Bishops shall be retained as both the living organic symbol of the globality of the UMC; and the mechanism for general and local oversight over all the UMC.
WHEREAS, these elements for restructuring the UMC will both preserve the organic integrity and identity of the UMC and make it free and responsive to the new world that is aborning.
We, the College of Bishops, together with the United Methodists in the Philippines, resolve and do hereby resolve that this resolution is the position of United Methodism in the Philippines, and do hereby submit it for due consideration to the Commission in the General Conference and to all agencies and members of the United Methodist Church.
Done today, August 31, 2019 in Manila, Philippines by the College of Bishops.
PRESENT:
1. Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan- President, COB
2. Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil
3. Bishop Daniel C. Arichea
4. Bishop Solito K. Toquero
5. Bishop Jose C. Gamboa, Jr.
6. Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco (participating thru Zoom)
ABSENT:
1. Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr. – Secretary, COB
2. Bishop Leo A. Soriano
3. Bishop Benjamin A. Justo