An international United Methodist group has long been working to increase the number of bishops on the African continent but learned of financial and other difficulties now facing the plan.
The Rev. Joel Mora Peña served as an episcopal leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. and leading United Methodist churches as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference. He died Jan. 3 at age 88.
Over the past 12 months, United Methodists have marked the passing of a storied NFL coach, the denomination’s first Asian American bishop and a pastor named Bible.
Faced with denominational uncertainties, jurisdictional leaders are recommending United Methodists elect fewer U.S. bishops than there will be vacancies. But after a special session of the Northeastern Jurisdiction, all five U.S. jurisdictions expect to hold episcopal elections in November.
