Vatican’s ecumenical council proposes renewed dialogue with Mennonites
A recent Information Service publication of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) includes news that the PCPCU has sent a letter to the Mennonite World Council “proposing a round of conversations.” The council suggests that this new round of dialogue begin in late 2010 or early 2011, and that discussions center on “the theology and practice of baptism in our communities”.
The news is part of an article reporting on last year’s Mennonite World Conference assembly in Paraguay: Read more
Lutherans to seek formal reconciliation with Anabaptists
Strasbourg, France (MWC) -When Lutherans from around the world gather in July, they will seek a historic reconciliation with Mennonites and other Christians of the Anabaptist tradition. On July 22, the third day of the eleventh assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to be held in Stuttgart, Germany, delegates are expected to ask “forgiveness-from God and from our Mennonite sisters and brothers-for the harm that our forebears in the sixteenth century committed” in persecuting Anabaptists. Read more
Mennonite-Catholic dialogue featured in ecumenical conference
The recent Mennonite-Catholic dialogue will be among the projects discussed at an upcoming ecumenical conference in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by Saint Paul Seminary, “A Century of Ecumenism” will be held June 17-19. The conference is organized by Monsignor John Radano, Vatican staff person for the Mennonite-Catholic dialogue.
From the conference website:
The goal of this seminar is to concentrate the attention of scholars on an assessment of specific achievements of international dialogue. Special attention will be paid to international bilateral dialogues that began immediately after the Second Vatican Council involving the Catholic Church with many different churches and Christian World Communions, and the multilateral dialogue sponsored by the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order.
The conference schedule and brochure can be found here.
Gene Stoltzfus, long-time CPT director & friend of Bridgefolk, dead at 70
Gene Stoltzfus, founding director of Christian Peacemaker Teams, died March 10 at age 70. Stoltzfus was a friend of Bridgefolk and attended our conference at Saint John’s Abbey in 2008. To read more, visit http://www.cpt.org/speakers/gene_stoltzfus.
Bridgefolk Board member returns to Rutba, Iraq
Weldon Nisly, pastor of Seattle Mennonite Church and Bridgefolk Board member, returned to Rutba, Iraq in January as part of a Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). As part of a CPT delegation that visited Iraq in 2003 during the US invasion, Nisly was injured in an automobile accident and treated at a clinic in Rutba. He and other members of the delegation returned this year in order to express their gratitude to their Iraqi hosts and medical personnel. For CPT news releases on the recent trip, click here.
Mennonite Church Canada represented at Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
WINNIPEG, Manitoba —Mennonite Church Canada leaders gathered with those from other denominations on January 24/2010 for the opening service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Among the other denominations represented were Anglican, Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, United Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Salvation Army, Presbyterian and Ukrainian Orthodox. Read more
The Mennonite features personal story of Mennonite-Catholic journey
A recent issue of The Mennonite includes a reflection from a “dyed-in-the-wool Catholic” who “came to feel comfortable and welcomed in a Mennonite community.” The article is linked here.
Mennonite World Conference participates in WCC theological dialogue
Strasbourg, France (MWC) – How and where does the global church discuss issues such as the nature and mission of the church, sources of authority and moral discernment in the churches? One long-standing forum for important discussions such as these is the Faith and Order Plenary Commission of the World Council of Churches. This body, while not officially decision-making, gathered in Kolympari, Crete, 7-13 October 2009.
The topics mentioned were the key themes of the conference under the heading, “Called to be the One Church.” More than 150 participants from many countries and a wide range of church traditions gathered to listen, discuss and dialogue.
Mennonite World Conference was also invited to participate. Alfred Neufeld of Paraguay, who is the chair of MWC’s Faith and Life Commission, represented MWC. Read more
Mennonite and Christian Reformed Churches in Canada hold symposium on war and peace
WINNIPEG, Man. — Mennonite Church Canada leaders have logged another event towards the denomination’s collective “1,000 Acts of Peace” initiative.
On Oct. 17, Bruce Adema, Director of Canadian Ministries for the bi-national CRC and current president of the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC), and Robert J. Suderman, General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada hosted a Symposium on War and Peace together with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) of Canada at Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg. Read more
