Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Conference Secretary of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Rev. Ande Emmanuel, has debunk the false impression being created by the Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who according to him, now work for the new breakaway denomination called “Global Methodist Church” against the United Methodist Church, saying that the postponed June 1 Special Session was held successfully and that the United Methodist Church Worldwide has endorsed homosexuality.
He stated this while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
“It very important for the public to note that paragraph 603.5 of the United Methodist Church laws called “The Book of Discipline “ allows Annual Conference to hold Special Session to address specific matters which wouldn’t wait to be address at a regular session. I quote “A special session of the Annual Conference may be held at such a time and in such a place determined by the Annual Conference.
“A special session of the Annual Conference shall have only such powers as are stated in the call.”
“The public should note that it was base oñ the above Church laws that the June 1 special session was called specifically to unveil the Path Forward Just Resolutions that were reach on the formal complainants filed against Bishop Yohanna for disobedience to the laws and order of the church, undermining the ministry of other pastors, Financial embezzlement, intimidation and harassment of pastors and members to join his new breakaway denomination called “Global Methodist Church”.
“The public should note faithful members of the United Methodist Church both clergy and lay delegates including observers and visitor numbered over 3000 responded to this call and gathered at McBride United Methodist Church Magami which is the determine venue of the special session at the time of the special session which is 8am -12:00PM only to find out that military and police personnel have blocked the entrance of the church on the instruction of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna.
According to him, the act raises tension on the street of Magami with over 3000 people who could get access to their church the entire street was blocked.
“To restore calmness on the street the security officers which include, the military, police, civil defence and the DSS summoned à meeting of 60 persons, 30 from Bishop Yohanna’s breakaway site and 30 from the United Methodist sites.
“This meeting was held inside the church auditorium with over 10 armed security personnel, after a brief presentation by both sites the 60 persons and the armed military personnel resolved that the Special session be postponed to such a time that the mediating person assigned by the Council and College of UMC Bishops, Bishop John Schol will arrive Nigeria.
“The claim by Bishop Yohanna that the Special session was held successfully is false and misleading as items stated in the call were not address at such a time (9:00am – 12:00pm) and place as required in paragraph 603.5 of the Church laws called Book of Discipline.
Rev. Ande Emmanuel urge the public to note that Bishop Yohanna has left the United Methodist Church and now working for the Global Methodist Church against the United Methodist Church and want to take the property of the United Methodist Church to his new breakaway Global Methodist Church which he help in its formation.
“I wish to call the attention of the Government to note all these and ask Bishop Yohanna to focus on his new denomination and leave those who want to remain in the United Methodist Church alone to do their work or be held accountable for what happens in the church.
“We call on the faithful members of the United Methodist Church to stay peaceful and law abiding as we await the step in the Path Forward process.
“Conclusively, the worldwide United Methodist Church has not endorsed homosexuality as falsely claimed by Bishop Yohanna – he said.
The worldwide church voted to adopt regionalization as structural change in the worldwide church with will grant regionalization autonomy to each region of the church to determine it theology and practice base on it context while maintaining the church connection.