"A group of United Methodists in Germany has asked President Bush, a Methodist, to adhere more closely to church teachings on abolishing the death penalty and protecting the environment.

Bishop Walter F. Klaiber leader of the United Methodist Church in Germany, wrote to Bush, saying that overseas members of the denomination are excited to have a fellow Methodist in the White House but have 'great concerns' about his policies.

In a letter distributed by United Methodist News Service, Klaiber referred to a resolution that said overseas Methodists are 'deeply grieved' and 'embarrassed' by the use of the death penalty. The resolution called the United States 'an enemy of civilized people.'

Klaiber also admonished Bush for abandoning the Kyoto environmental treaty, which would limit the emission of carbon dioxide gas.

'Please, Mr. President, do not look only at the well-being of the industry of the United States, but take into your consideration also the necessity to preserve the resources for the life of coming generations' and the struggle of people around the world who have 'begun to suffer severely under the consequences of the changes of the climate of the Earth' " (Religious News Services, The Washington Post, April 21, 2001).