wfn.org | Almeida Penicela, Mozambique's second bishop, dies at 74

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

May 16, 2003 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.  
  10-21-31-71BI{285}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodist Bishop Almeida Penicela, 74, the second bishop of the United
Methodist Church in Mozambique, died May 11, after a long illness.

Penicela was elected bishop by the Africa Central Conference in 1976. Before
he could be consecrated, he was injured in an automobile accident and
hospitalized in Africa and Switzerland for many months, leaving him a
paraplegic. He was consecrated in 1977 and took over administrative duties
for the church's Mozambique Area.

His health forced him to retire from active duty in 1988 but not before
signing the first formal "covenant document" between the denomination and
Mozambique. That agreement was signed with the Missouri annual conferences
during the 1988 General Conference in St. Louis.   

The former Missouri East Conference had a relationship with Mozambique going
back to the late 1980s. Bishop Ann B. Sherer became directly involved with
Mozambique during the mid-'90s. She made the country the focus of an area
initiative and sought covenant churches for every pastor in Mozambique. This
was accomplished at the 1999 sessions of the former Missouri East and West
annual conferences. The Missouri congregations - now part of the consolidated
Missouri Annual Conference - have provided resources and support in many ways
since then.

Other annual conferences have also developed relationships with the
Mozambique church over the years.

Despite his illness, Penicela continued contributing to the United Methodist
Church. He was a noted linguist and an authority on several Mozambican
languages, and he translated many works from English to Portuguese for use by
the church in Mozambique and other parts of Africa. He also translated the
denomination's Book of Discipline and the Bible into the local language of
the people who live around the Chicuque Mission, a United Methodist-related
ministry in his country. The bishop had lived near Chicuque since the
accident, and the mission's hospital had assisted in his care. 

"What struck me most when I visited in Bishop Penicela's home was his ongoing
commitment to ministry," Sherer said. "Though he was limited to his hospital
bed or wheelchair, he never stopped trying to serve the church and used his
gifts where he was." 

Calling Penicela an "inspiring man," Sherer said that "he remained hopeful,
cheerful and committed to the church," despite all he'd been through. She
would leave his home "encouraged in my own ministry, as would other visitors
from around the world who came to share with him."

A native of Maxixe, Inhambane, Mozambique, Penicela became an ordained member
of the Mozambique Annual Conference in 1968.

The bishop's wife, Angelina Joaquim Garrine Penicela, died five years ago.
They were married in 1957. Four children survive them.

The funeral service was held May 13 at Chicuque, drawing more than 3,000
people. A memorial service will be held May 17. Burial will be at the
Chicuque Mission Cemetery.

Messages of caring may be sent through Maria Helena Feluane, secretary to
current Bishop Joao Somane Machado, at umcmho@zebra.uem.mz.

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United Methodist News Service
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