Council of Bishops
Bishops of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church make statement in support of Morris Brown College
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a
long-standing commitment to quality Higher Education, beginning in 1856.
Almost from its inception in 1881, Morris Brown College has been a
flagship educational institution in the mission and ministry of the AME
Church, and among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For more
than a century, it has taken its rightful place alongside the prestigious
educational programs in the nation and world. Members of the AME Church
take pride in both the past accomplishments and presumed future of Morris
Brown College as an exemplary educational institution.
In a recent meeting of the Council of Bishops, the
Council affirmed its continued commitment to Morris Brown College,
especially at this hour of crisis. The Bishops of the AME Church join with
Bishop Frank C. Cummings and Board members, administration, loyal faculty,
staff, students, and the many thousands of alumni and supporters to affirm
the future of Morris Brown College.
The Bishops have taken the present predicament as a
matter of immediate and extreme urgency. As serious as it is, we do not
believe the matter to be insurmountable. The Bishops have adopted the
following points as a comprehensive response:
- The Bishops have agreed to work to the full extent of our ability to
support the Board’s holistic strategy to address each administrative and
financial issue before the Board decisively and appropriately.
- In January, the Bishops will seek the concurrence of the General Board
of the denomination for additional funding and to seek other long-term
strategies for our educational enterprise.
- The Bishops have designated the 2003 AME Church Founders’ Day
(February 9) as Morris Brown College Day in each Episcopal
District, enlisting the tangible support and goodwill of pastors and AMEC
congregants throughout the world.
We are committed to the proposition that the mission of
Morris Brown College has not been fully achieved. Its best days are not
past tense. Morris Brown College still has a lot of living and teaching to
do; generations of students yet to be will find in Morris Brown College a
"haven for hungry souls."
