WMC Geneva Secretary
BISHOP BOLLETER: Has wide ecumenical
experience in Europe. -- UMNS picture.
By LINDA BLOOM
A UNITED METHODIST bishop who
has provided leadership to church members in countries spanning
from Algeria to Albania is the new Geneva Secretary of the World
Methodist Council WMC).
Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, who
retired last May as episcopal leader of the Central and Southern
European Conference of the United Methodist Church, has begun
work at his part-time position from Jan 1 this year.
The Rev Dr George Freeman, the
WMC's General Secretary, said Bishop Bolleter was chosen for the
position "because of his wide ecumenical experience in Europe",
depth of knowledge about the church and linguistic skills.
As bishop, he oversaw United Methodists in France, Switzerland,
Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and all
the Balkan states, along with Tunisia and Algeria.
The Rev Dr Freeman expects the bishop "will help to interpret
to the council what's happening in the ecumenical movement"
and explain the council's positions and programmes to others.
"We are very excited to have him in this position and look
forward to the way that our participation in the ecumenical life
will expand under his leadership," he added.
In March last year, Bishop Bolleter was honoured by the Republic
of Austria for being a "bridge builder" in Europe, particularly
for his ability to build connections with Eastern European nations.
Bishop Bolleter, who grew up in Zurich, was ordained an elder
in 1969 and elected bishop in 1989. He lives in Aarau, Switzerland,
about halfway between Zurich and Geneva, to be closer to his three
children.
He told United Methodist News Service that he will represent the
council at specific ecumenical events, such as central committee
meetings of the World Council of Churches and meetings of the
World Lutheran Federation and Reformed Alliance. He said he "will
help to interpret the World Methodist Council's views to the other
congregational families".
Inter-faith issues also are a concern. "I think we have been
awakened in Europe to the presence of Muslims in our societies,"
he said. This presence requires dialogue not only at the state
and organisational levels but also at the local level, he said.
"We have to see the people, to visit the people, to be more
open to share our different views and our different cultural backgrounds,"
added Bishop Bolleter, who will work closely with the Rev Robert
Gribben of Australia, the new Chairman of the WMC's Ecumenics
and Dialogue Committee. - United Methodist News Service.
Linda Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based
in New York.