Mennonite-Catholic Theological Colloquium: Called Together to Be Peacemakers, 30-31 July, University of Notre Dame

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. For streaming video of the sessions, click on the conference links below.

Session 1: Panel on the Significance of this Document
Scott Appleby (Kroc Institute, Notre Dame)
Alan Kreider (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
Respondents:
Helmut Harder (Co-Chairman of the International Dialogue)
Drew Christiansen S.J. (Editor, America)

Session 2: Considering History Together
John Roth (Goshen College)
John Cavadini (University of Notre Dame)

Session 3: The Nature of the Church
C. Arnold Snyder (University of Waterloo)
Mary Doak (University of San Diego)

Session 4: Sacraments and Ordinances
Elizabeth Groppe (Xavier University)
Thomas Finger (author of A Contemporary Anabaptist Theology)

Session 5: Our Commitment to Peace
Bishop Gabino Zavala (Bishop, President of Pax Christi USA)
Duane Friesen (Bethel College,Kansas)

Session 6: Toward a Healing of Memories
Gerald Schlabach (University of St. Thomas) -- click here to read
Respondents:
Mary Schertz (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B. (St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville,
Minnesota; Co-chair of Bridgefolk)

Session 7: Synthesis: Moving Forward from Here
Facilitated Discussion

Previous colloquia

  • Sacramentality (2006, online colloquium)
    • lead article by Thomas Finger
    responses by Dennis Martin and Margaret R. Pfeil

  • How Are We "Called Together?" (2005, Eastern Mennonite Seminary)
    A keynote address by John A. Lapp examines ecumenical dialogue as a ministry of reconciliation. Two panels, one Catholic and another Mennonite, suggest what some of the next points of conversation between Mennonites and Catholic scholars in light of the document Called Together to be Peacemakers.

  • On Baptism: Mennonite-Catholic Theological Colloquium, 2001-2002
    lead article by Frederick Bauerschmidt
    responses by Thomas Finger and others.
    Click here to order

  • Just Policing: Mennonite-Catholic Theological Colloquium, 2002
    lead article by Gerald W. Schlabach
    responses by Joseph Capizzi and others.
    Click here to order