Obituaries - September 15, 2010 - Rev. Zacarias Joao Cardoso
The Rev. Zacarias Joao Cardoso, 82, who served in the Baltimore-Washington Conference from 1974-1991, died Sept. 15, at his home in Waldorf. The Rev. Stephen Larsen officiated at his funeral Sept. 21, at the Good Shepherd UMC in Waldorf, the church he attended. The Rev. Donald Burgard participated in the service. Bishop Warren Brown of the AME Zion Church gave the eulogy, and Pastor Mike Hilson of the New Life Wesleyan Church of La Plata, also took part.
Cardoso had the distinction of having served both as an Elder in the United Methodist Church and as a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Angola, his country of origin.
He transferred from the Angola Conference, where he had served United Methodist churches, was elected an associate member in 1974, and appointed to Asbury UMC in Shepherdstown, W. Va. In 1977, he was appointed to Mt. Zion UMC in Baltimore. From 1982-1986, he served St. Paul UMC in Chevy Chase, then pastored Metropolitan UMC in Pomonkey from 1986-1991. He retired in 1991.
Cardoso had exceptional organizing skills as well as respect from others, which led Angolan United Methodist officials to ask him to return after his retirement. After 15 years of violent civil war, he was considered to be one who could best reorganize and revitalize the church. Leaving his family in the U.S., he responded to the call and returned to Angola in 1991. He stayed until a second retirement in 2002.
In 1993, he was elected and ordained a bishop in the AME Zion Church and established the independent AME Zion Church in Angola, which now has more than 60,000 members.
Summing up Cardoso’s life, Bishop Brown said, “Some lives are long, but not full. Cardoso’s life was full because he was gripped by an extraordinary passion. He lived his life not for himself but for others.”
Survivors include his wife, Adelia Cardoso, two daughters, Esperanca Cardoso and Aurina Hawthorn; a son, Joaquim Cardoso; and 11 grandchildren.
Condolence may be sent to his wife, Mrs. Adelia Cardoso, at 1109 Hamlin Lane, Waldorf, MD 20602-2971.
Login/Register to leave comment