wfn.org | European United Methodists promote cooperation

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

July 23, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-71B{385}

NOTE: This report is accompanied by a sidebar, UMNS story #386.

By United Methodist News Service

A spirit of cooperation and togetherness exists among most United Methodists
in Central and Southern Europe, according to the bishop who presides over
the region.

Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, based in Zurich, Switzerland, noted in a July 22
interview with United Methodist News Service that even a longtime dispute
between United Methodists and a splinter group in Hungary is being resolved.

He explained that the split occurred in 1974 when a pastor who had expected
to be elected as district superintendent was not elected. He then left the
denomination with eight other pastors and created his own church. Since
then, "all the time, they have been attacking us," the bishop said.

In a report prepared for the Methodist European Council, Bolleter said
United Methodists in Hungary had sought reconciliation. The council meets in
Budapest, Hungary, in September.

"After 25 years of hostility ... the conference has issued a statement of
reconciliation," he said. "...This will probably not lead to a
reunification, but hopefully to a bilateral recognition."

United Methodists in Hungary also have a new church center in Budapest, the
bishop reported.

Bolleter's report points to highlights of church work and life in other
countries. In the Czech and Slovak republics, the annual (regional)
conference has installed a system of regional elders to guide young pastors
and lay missionaries and to "strengthen the connection." With assistance
from the Millennium Fund of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries,
a new church building is being constructed in Pilsen-Lochotin. The
congregation is an offshoot of the Maranatha Church in Pilsen.

United Methodists in Poland considered 10 years of political changes during
their recent annual conference meeting. "One of the most visible signs of
reconciliation was the support of the East Germany Annual Conference for the
restoration of the church in Wroclaw," the bishop reported.

Polish Methodists also are looking at the church's Social Principles. "The
Polish Church would like to express more clearly its conservative views in
issues like homosexuality and the role of women in the ministry of the
church," Bolleter explained.

The Bulgarian Annual Conference, which meets Sept. 23-26, has bought
property in Sevlievo, Baltschik and Dobritsch because the new congregations
in those areas are prospering, the bishop said. But economic woes still
plague that country. "In many ways, the Balkan crisis has hindered the
development of the economy and by this also the social work and the
construction work of the churches," Bolleter said.

Dialogue between United Methodists and eight autonomous Methodist churches
in France is continuing. "The option of a merger of the two traditions is a
real possibility," Bolleter added.

The annual conferences in Switzerland and Austria have "high interest" in
the new international hymnal for German-speaking Methodists, he said.
Austrian churches also have declared the Sunday before the Ecumenical Week
of Prayer to become the Special Sunday for the Jewish Heritage.

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