wfn.org | Puerto Rico Methodists Elect New Bishop

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
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Note 452 by UMNS on Nov. 12, 1997 at 16:48 Eastern (1921 characters).

CONTACT:	Ralph E. Baker						640(10-32-71B){452}
		Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470			Nov. 12, 1997

Methodist Church of Puerto Rico
elects a new bishop

by United Methodist News Service

	The autonomous Methodist Church of Puerto Rico elected a district
superintendent, the Rev. Juan Antonio Vera-Méndez, as its second bishop,
succeeding Bishop Victor L. Bonilla.
	Vera-Méndez is known for his commitment to justice and the welfare of the
impoverished communities. He served as a director of the United Methodist
Board of Church and Society 1988-1996.
	He was one of the founders of the Latin American Council of Churches, and in
1996 was named president of the Puerto Rico Evangelical Council.
He has been pastor of churches in Barranquitas and Arecibo and was chaplain at
Inter American University in San Juan.
	Currently a student in the doctor of ministry program at McCormick
Theological Seminary, Chicago, he has degrees from the University of Puerto
Rico, Puerto Rico Evangelical Seminary and Inter American University.
	Vera-Méndez is married to the former Iris Janet Rivera-Casanova.  They have
three children: Juan Carlos, 12; Cristina María, 9; and Deborah Marie, 6.
	He is the second clergy member elected to head the church since the Puerto
Rican church became autonomous from the United Methodist Church in 1992. The
Rev. Victor L. Bonilla was chosen bishop, and two retired pastors, the Revs.
Gildo Sanchez and Rafael Boisen, were named honorary bishops.
	At his election, Vera-Méndez said he wants to move toward straightening the
administrative and program structures of the church to be more effective and
innovative.  He said, he sees the church "in a constant process of updating
itself to keep relevant in front of the demands of a changing Puerto Rico."
	The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has more than 10,000 members in 80
congregations.
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