Theological Dialogue and Reflection

Mennonite-Catholic Theological Colloquium

Called Together to Be Peacemakers, University of Notre Dame, July 30-31
From 1998-2003 Mennonite World Conference (MWC) and the Vatican conducted a first-ever international dialogue and the following year released their final report, Called Together to be Peacemakers. In neither tradition, however, are the dialogue and its historic results well known. Bringing together top Mennonite and Catholic theologians and ecclesial leaders, this conference was designed to stimulate scholarly interest in this important document, while also providing resources for Catholic and Mennonite ecclesial communities to study and discuss this text in an informed way.
The MCTC formed in 2000 in order to
  • initiate a sustained theological conversation between Mennonite and Catholic scholars
  • gain a clearer understanding of the issues historically in contention between Mennonites and Catholics
  • provide background information and analysis for the international ecumenical dialogue that had begun the previous year between representatives of the Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Two rounds of MCTC dialogue have since been published by Pandora Press, and all exchanges are available online in the colloquia section below.

Click here to watch conference sessions in streaming video

Conference speakers include Scott Appleby of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame, Alan Kreider of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), John Roth of Goshen College, John Cavadini of Notre Dame, C. Arnold Snyder of the University of Waterloo, Mary Doak of the University of San Diego, Elizabeth Groppe of Xavier University, Thomas Finger, author of A Contemporary Anabaptist Theology. Bishop Gabino Zavala, President of Pax Christi USA, Duane Friesen of Bethel College in Kansas, Gerald Schlabach of the University of St. Thomas and executive director of Bridgefolk. Respondents include Helmut Harder, Drew Christiansen S.J., Mary Schertz of AMBS, and Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B. of St. John's Abbey in Minnesota.

Conference website | News Release

You will find our conversations and resources in the following areas.
  • Colloquia
    MCTC conversations appear here as they develop. This includes both face-to-face gatherings and "virtual" conversations online. Publication information on past colloquia is also available.
  • The International Dialogue
    Provides the text of the final report, Called Together to be Peacemakers in various languages, as well as commentary and responses. Information on the abridged study edition with discussion questions is also available.
  • Theological Resources
    Gathers together additional resources for theological dialogue and reflection on topics of interest to MCTC and Bridgefolk participants.
  • The Bridgefolk Series
    MCTC and Bridgefolk publications available through Pandora Press.


Drew Christiansen, Margaret Pfeil, Gerald Schlabach
L to R: Drew Christiansen, Margaret Pfeil, Gerald Schlabach