Evening star., 1952-06-15
Oman, New Bishop
OF Washington, Sees
Bio Decisions Ahead

Bishop q. Bromley Oman yes
terday was elected head of the
Washington Area of the Methodist
Church and plans to come here
within two weeks.
Bishop of the New York Area
since 1914. he was chosen for the
Washington assignment at the
Northeastern Jurisdiction Confer
ence Of the Methodist Church.
The conference, at Harrisburg,
Pa, elected DR.. Frederick B. New
ell as a bishop to head the New
York area. DR.. Newell will be con-
secrated at the final session today.
Succeeding Bishop Charles Wes-
ley Flint who retired, Bishop Ok
nam will direct an area which in
cludes some $500 pastorates in the
District. Maryland. Delaware and
section of Central Pennsylvania.
He said he would visit every pas
torate in September.
The transfer to Washington was
described by Bishop Oman as a
signal honor and a major respon-
sibility. ...
Obligation of Churches.
II regard this as one of the
most significant assignments in
the world" he said. Great de-
cisions as they affect international
relations will be made in WASH
ington."
A nationally known leader in
advocating strict separation of
church and state, Bishop Oman
stated yesterday in New York:
There is an obligation of re-
1igious groups to make their moral
judgments or convictions known.
The churchman should never ask
for anything for the church as an
institution. Then the door is open
for conveying convictions to the
men who make decisions. The
church should not become a pres
sure group by indirect threats,
and it should seek to respond to
Christian men who respond to
those moral judgments"
Had Set Retirement Date.
Bishop Oman referred to the
Methodist General Conference ac-
ton last month to grant American
University 100000 a year for the
next four years. He said the
Methodists intend to make a sub
stantial investment in the univer-
sity Ito the end that a great
Protestant institution may make
an outstanding contribution in
training personnel for the foreign
service of our government"
He disclosed that he had in
tended to retire in 1856 but he
said he would stay on for another
eight years if the church wants
him to remain for that time in
the Washington area.
The 61-year-old church. leader,
a native of Sonora, Calf, is one
of the presidents of the World
Council of Churches. He is known
as a vigorous speaker and capable
administrator. He is a member of
the general board of the National
Council of Churches and served as
president of the Federal Council
of Churches.
Appointment Hailed.
His appointment to Washington
was hailed by Bishop-elect Newell
as "the greatest thing that has
happened to the church in this
Nation"
Besides electing Bishop Newell
and selecting Bishop Oman for
the Washington Area, the con-
ference transferred Puerto Rico
from the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of Washington to the
Philadelphia Area.
BiShop-elect Newell, who has
been executive secretary of the
New York City Society of Metho-
dist Churches, said he planned
these moves:
First, I've got to see that a
million dollars is raised for church
extension in the area. That means
building new churches in new
communities.
Secondly, I've got to raise
$500.000 for Drew University at
Madison, N. j.
"And thirdly, I've got to give a
lot of attention to the 1858 Evan
gelical campaign aimed at enlarg-
ing our church membership"