Minerva G. Carcaño
Encyclopedia
Minerva G. Carcaño is the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church (UMC), the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States. She was elected in 2004. She currently serves as Bishop of the Phoenix Episcopal Area, Desert Southwest Conference of the UMC. She serves as the official spokesperson for the United Methodist Council of Bishops on the issue of immigration.
.
Carcaño graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American in 1975 and received a Masters of Theology from Perkins School of Theology
of Southern Methodist University
in 1979. She was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1979. She served as pastor in churches in Lubbock, TX, San Jose, CA, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, and Hebbronville, McAllen in the early 1980s. In 1986 she became the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a United Methodist district superintendent, serving in that capacity in West Texas, New Mexico
, and Portland, OR until 1992. From 1992-1996, Carcaño was the organizing pastor of the South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry before becoming director of the Mexican American Program of Hispanic Studies Program at Perkins School of Theology
. Currently serving as the Phoenix, Arizona
-based Bishop of the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, she and her husband, an attorney, have a teenaged daughter.
Bishop Carcaño has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive Immigration reform in the United States, speaking out on behalf of "hard working immigrants seeking only to support themselves and their families [who] are being treated in ways that not only violate their human and civil rights, but that undermine the very values upon which this country was built."
Out of her conviction that the church is "called by God to be a faith community of welcome," Carcaño has promoted a variety of ways to create dialogue, including "a bilateral ministry between Mexico and the United States" that is a natural way of "leading with a servant spirit and faithfulness." As a symbolic act of practical outreach to those who continue to risk crossing the deserts of the Southwest, Carcaño has also worked with Humane Borders in establishing water stations along known routes in the desert.
In February 2009, Bishop Carcaño spoke to the Interfaith Platform on Humane Immigration Reform, saying:
In 2010, Bishop Carcaño joined other critics of Arizona's controversial "SB 1070" (also known as the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
) saying, "This bill does nothing to address any border security concerns" and declaring it "unwise, short sighted and mean spirited." In May, she traveled to Washington with other religious leaders to lobby Arizona's delegation to back comprehensive immigration reform. Carcaño said, "We will urge Sen. McCain to claim a bigger legacy than the one he has now."
Homosexuality:
Bishop Carcaño has long been a supporter of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community, including support of the Reconciling Ministries Network
and other organizations seeking GLBT recognition within United Methodism. She has assured those working to change the official policy of the denomination that "We are working hard to create an inclusive church, confronting resistance to even conversation. Some of our colleagues are in the place of fear. But all I expect is integrity and respect in the conversation." During the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Carcaño joined other Bishops and delegates in a witness in favor of full inclusion of gays and lesbians within the denomination.
In an article introducing newly-elected Bishop Carcaño to the Phoenix Area, The Arizona Republic
noted that she ‘supports full inclusion of gay and lesbian church members, including gay marriage.’ She was one of many clergy who publicly opposed and helped defeat Arizona Proposition 107 (2006) (which sought to ban gay marriage).
In May of 2011, Bishop Carcaño participated in the Human Rights Campaign
's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality in Washington, DC. At a rally for the event, the Bishop's comments included:
Biography
Carcaño was raised in Edinburg, TX. Her early years of humble economic circumstances influenced her lifelong commitment to persons who face poverty and discrimination. Her ministry has included work with the poor, farm workers, immigrants, and refugees – including community organizing through the Industrial Areas FoundationIndustrial Areas Foundation
The Industrial Areas Foundation is a national community organizing network established in 1940 by Saul Alinsky. IAF provides training and consultation, furnishes organizers, and develops national strategy for its affiliated broad-based community organizations. There are currently 57 IAF...
.
Carcaño graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American in 1975 and received a Masters of Theology from Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is one of Southern Methodist University's three original schools. The theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J...
of Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in 1979. She was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1979. She served as pastor in churches in Lubbock, TX, San Jose, CA, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, and Hebbronville, McAllen in the early 1980s. In 1986 she became the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a United Methodist district superintendent, serving in that capacity in West Texas, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and Portland, OR until 1992. From 1992-1996, Carcaño was the organizing pastor of the South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry before becoming director of the Mexican American Program of Hispanic Studies Program at Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is one of Southern Methodist University's three original schools. The theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J...
. Currently serving as the Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
-based Bishop of the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, she and her husband, an attorney, have a teenaged daughter.
Publications
In 2008, Carcaño authored "I Believe in Jesus," the annual Spiritual Growth Study for the United Methodist Women. It is published in both Spanish and English with a study guide by Glory Dharmaraj.Activism
Immigration:Bishop Carcaño has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive Immigration reform in the United States, speaking out on behalf of "hard working immigrants seeking only to support themselves and their families [who] are being treated in ways that not only violate their human and civil rights, but that undermine the very values upon which this country was built."
Out of her conviction that the church is "called by God to be a faith community of welcome," Carcaño has promoted a variety of ways to create dialogue, including "a bilateral ministry between Mexico and the United States" that is a natural way of "leading with a servant spirit and faithfulness." As a symbolic act of practical outreach to those who continue to risk crossing the deserts of the Southwest, Carcaño has also worked with Humane Borders in establishing water stations along known routes in the desert.
In February 2009, Bishop Carcaño spoke to the Interfaith Platform on Humane Immigration Reform, saying:
'"As the suffering of immigrants and their families grows every day, we as people of faith long to bring healing to them and this land. As with people of all faiths, United Methodists stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters. Immigration reform that is just and humane is the only way to bring healing to our land."
In 2010, Bishop Carcaño joined other critics of Arizona's controversial "SB 1070" (also known as the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act is a legislative Act in the U.S. state of Arizona that at the time of passage was the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure in recent U.S. history...
) saying, "This bill does nothing to address any border security concerns" and declaring it "unwise, short sighted and mean spirited." In May, she traveled to Washington with other religious leaders to lobby Arizona's delegation to back comprehensive immigration reform. Carcaño said, "We will urge Sen. McCain to claim a bigger legacy than the one he has now."
Homosexuality:
Bishop Carcaño has long been a supporter of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community, including support of the Reconciling Ministries Network
Reconciling Ministries Network
The Reconciling Ministries Network is an organization dedicated to the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of United Methodist Church...
and other organizations seeking GLBT recognition within United Methodism. She has assured those working to change the official policy of the denomination that "We are working hard to create an inclusive church, confronting resistance to even conversation. Some of our colleagues are in the place of fear. But all I expect is integrity and respect in the conversation." During the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Carcaño joined other Bishops and delegates in a witness in favor of full inclusion of gays and lesbians within the denomination.
In an article introducing newly-elected Bishop Carcaño to the Phoenix Area, The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
noted that she ‘supports full inclusion of gay and lesbian church members, including gay marriage.’ She was one of many clergy who publicly opposed and helped defeat Arizona Proposition 107 (2006) (which sought to ban gay marriage).
In May of 2011, Bishop Carcaño participated in the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality in Washington, DC. At a rally for the event, the Bishop's comments included:
- "Hate and violence against persons, whether it is bullying in our schools, the taunting and violating of a person's privacy to the point of humiliating that person and destroying his or her sense of self worth and belonging, to beatings and even murder on our streets or on the outskirts of our towns, all because of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, cannot be left unchallenged or unconquered. Such violence against our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers is a violation of all that is good within us, and destroys the inherent human dignity of all of us."
External links
- Bishop Carcaño's pages on the Desert Southwest Conference website
- Bishop Carcaño comments on SB 1070 PBS, May 21, 2010
- Bishop Minerva Carcaño: "Hope Beyond Ourselves" General Conference, April 27, 2008
- Bishop Carcaño speaking about immigration reform Interfaith Immigration Coalition, February 12, 2009 (UnitedMethodistTV)
- Bishop Carcaño sermon transcripts
- Immigration Concerns Build Bridges (Elliott Wright article in the Global Ministries News Archives) Posted December 5, 2006
- Transcript of Lou Dobbs interview with Bishop Carcaño CNN (Aired August 16, 2006)
- Additional pictures of Bishop Carcaño