Bishops Rodolfo Alfonso “Rudy” Juan (left), Ciriaco Q. Francisco (center) and Pedro M. Torio Jr. lead a prayer for the Philippines and Southeast Asia during the 2019 United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis in February. The Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops, meeting in Manila, signed a resolution opposing dissolution of The United Methodist Church. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

The Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops has signed a resolution “intensely” opposing dissolution of The United Methodist Church.

The bishops’ resolution recommended restructuring that would allow for regional autonomy to deal with divisive issues like homosexuality.

“From the beginning of the church in the New Testament, division and schism in the church are to be avoided and unity must be achieved and maintained,” the resolution reads.

Meeting Aug. 31 at United Methodist headquarters in Manila, the bishops agreed to submit the petition to General Conference. Read more