A Kenyan Methodist bishop who spoke out against the violent regime of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin is the 2005 recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award.
Bishop Lawi Imathiu will receive the award on Jan. 29 during a ceremony at Kenya Methodist University in Meru, Kenya. The chairperson of the World Methodist Council, His Eminence Sunday Mbang of Nigeria, will make the presentation.The bishop "showed great courage, with a clear voice for peace, reconciliation, salvation and hope for all the people," noted the Rev. George Freeman, chief executive of the World Methodist Council, according to the United Methodist News Service.
In 1977, as Idi Amin caused upheaval in East Africa, Imathiu was a strong advocate for peace and justice in the region. Imathiu took a strong stance, calling Amin a murderer and oppressor, when the Ugandan dictator attempted to silence the witness of the Church by ordering the death of the Anglican archbishop of Uganda.
In addition, Imathiu also stood against South Africa’s apartheid system.
"Lawi Imathiu has given his entire life as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and more than 50 years as a courageous, creative advocate for the cause of peace and reconciliation around the world, particularly in the continent of Africa," the council statement said according to UMNS. "His faithful witness reflects the values of the World Methodist Peace Award and the criteria for receiving the award: courage, creativity and consistency."
Imathiu was president of the World Methodist Council – which sponsors the World Methodist Peace Award – from 1986 to 1991. He was the first African to hold this position. He is now retired and serves as the African continent secretary for the council’s Division of World Evangelism.
Previous recipients of the World Methodist Peace Award include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Bolivian household-worker-turned activist Casimira Rodriguez Romero. Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller received the award last year.
Jennifer Riley
Christian Today Correspondent
