Brazil's first woman bishop preaches in Indiana

Recently elected Bishop Marisa de Freitas Ferrerira Coutinho, who had been visiting UM seminaries and churches in the U.S., shared news and needs of her people while in Indiana last month.

She has been participating in the Lafayette District Mission Saturation events, was keynoter for the kickoff dinner on Saturday, preached at Monticello UMC twice (once on radio and television) as well as once at the Wesley Foundation afternoon worship. While in Indiana she also visited Christian Theological Seminary and the following churches: Delphi UMC, St. Matthews UMC, Trinity UMC, and First UMC.

Bispa (Bishop) Marisa has over 19 years active experience in the ministry of the Methodist Church of Brazil, which achieved it's autonomy from the US church in 1930. She is the first elected woman bishop in the 130-year history of that church. Earlier in her life, she felt the need to become a doctor and completed her M.D. Soon after, however, she felt a strong call to return to pastoring, to "feed my sheep," she said. She is married to a fellow clergyperson, the Rev. Ramon. They met while in the regional seminary in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. They both attended the national seminary at Rudge Ramos, Sao Paulo.

She served as pastor for three years in a small church in the North of Minas Gerais, then became pastor for eight years in the Northeast of a larger church in Salvador Bahia -- the largest predominantly black city outside of Africa. She and her husband co-pastored their last church, one of the largest in Brazil, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, also for eight years.

After her Midwest visit, she returned home via Sao Paulo, where she was to convene the National Federation of Methodist Women.

Bishop Marisa overseas an area the size of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, approximately 7,000 square kilometers, with the help of six superintendents who cover nine states, including the five poorest states of Brazil.

With a population of 47 million, 47 percent of the women in this area are illiterate. Average infant mortality is 167 out of 1,000 before the first year. She is a supporter of the PT (workers party) which has just won the election in Brazil, and was happy to report that the political climate of Brazil is the best and most collaborative that it has been in years. Steve Cain

Last updated on 01/14/2004

Questions or comments: webmaster@inareaumc.org