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It is very sad Indeed that the situation of the Methodist church in the Philippines has reached the point where another faction has again opted for its autonomy (althoug this is definitely not the first case in the history of Philippine Methodism).
I'm just an ordinary lay memebr of the UMC in the Philippines, but I would like to voice out my two cents' worth--just to take it out of my chest.
I am personally sad and angry that information concerning the case of Bishop Tangonan was not communicated to all concerned Philippine Methodists! Had the College of Bishops (or whatever committee that had been handling the case) given quick and transparent updates on its investigations this matter could have been prevented.
(What happened to all the international funds granted to the Media center of the UMC in the Philippines? --But that's another matter altogether...)
I believe the Filipino laity (as well as clergy--my father is a UMC pastor and he didn't have access to relevant information) deserve access to information--especially on such a critical issue, and had there been more transparency with regards to the process, emotions might not have heated up to such a critical level-- because the clear information would have made the people to think clearly and rationally about the issue.
Filipinos are very heart-centered people-- and when there is no access to unbiased facts-- people make decisions based on fired-up emotions.
Moreover, Filipinos are very devoted to their leaders (sometimes in an idolatrous way). The two camps of bishops polarized the Filipino United Methodists into two factions. And because of our tendency to "worship bishops" --when the two camps of bishops decided to play their "Games of The 'Bishop'"--the laity was unfortunately, dragged into the game as 'pawns'!
Personally, I would have opted for an independent committeee comprised of credible, unbiased, competent and respected Filipino lay leaders (such as former Chief Justice Puno) to investigate all the allegations against all the Filipino bishops--leaving no 'sacred' stone unturned.... (Is that in the UMC book of discipline? I don't know.)
In my mind the crux of the matter was and still is:
Are the current bishops to credible enough togovern the UMC in the Philippines in the face of the fact that they (both camps of Filipino UMC bishops) were/are charged left and right with corruption (moral and financial).....
Tha'ts why I have been looking forward to the election of new bishops in the coming Philippine Central Conference. At that time, I think and hope that the Phillipine UMC will finally and decisively settle this whole matter.
May the fire and Illumination of the Holy Spirit which we commemorated at Aldersgate and which we will be celebrating this coming season of Pentecost bless the Filipino Methodists so that rather than wait for leaders who have their own vested interests and external agencies to decide foir them, they will be able to think clearly and decide for themselves!
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