Report from the Catholic Peace Fellowship:
Author: gws
Articles on John Paul II and Benedict XVI
This week’s Mennonite Weekly Review gives prominent place to an article by Ivan Kauffman on John Paul II’s role in promoting dialogue between Mennonites and Catholics, an editorial on John Paul II by MWR editor Robert Rhodes, and an intriguing letter to the editor by historian Robert Kreider about the role that two Catholics with Mennonite family connections played in a lay group that especially formative in the priesthood of the young Karol Wojtyla in Poland. The article and the editorial are available online:
Ivan Kauffman, “Mennonite-Catholic dialogue grew at John Paul’s behest”
http://www.mennoweekly.org/APRIL/04-18-05/DIALOGUE04-18.html
Robert Rhodes, “John Paul: A pope revered by all” (editorial)
http://www.mennoweekly.org/APRIL/04-04-05/POPE-edit04-11.html
Also, the Catholic Peace Fellowship as posted very hopeful article on its website about the peace commitments of the new pope, Benedict XVI:
“New Pope A Strong Critic of War”
http://www.catholicpeacefellowship.org/nextpage.asp?m=2252
Mennonite Church USA names new director of
interchurch relations
Mennonite Church USA
News Release:
Mennonite pastor helps Mennonite Church USA
to work with other denominations
by Laurie L. Oswald
NEWTON, Kan. (MC USA) — Believing that Christ wants the church to be one is
one thing. But it’s quite another to believe that working for the common
cause of Christ with other faith traditions is good for Mennonite Church
USA.
Andre Gingerich Stoner, pastor of missions at Kern Road Mennonite Church in
South Bend, Ind., knows the difference — and he’s made the leap. What’s
more, he’s inviting his Anabaptist faith family to work with other faith
traditions to build up Christ’s body and to sharpen their own expression of
God’s reign in the world.
In his new role as director of interchurch relations for Mennonite Church
USA, Andre coordinates efforts on behalf of Executive Leadership. In a
one-eighth time-position, he helps Mennonite Church USA to enter into
relationship and conversation with other Christian denominations. Continue reading “Mennonite Church USA names new director of
interchurch relations”
MWC offers condolences upon the death of Pope John Paul II
NEWS RELEASE: Mennonite World Conference, April 13, 2005
MWC officials offer condolences to Catholic colleagues
Strasbourg, France — Mennonite World Conference officials, President Nancy R. Heisey and Executive Secretary Larry Miller, have sent a letter of condolence on the death of Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Over more than five years, Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council have joined in an International Dialogue. The letter was addressed specifically to the leaders of the Council: Cardinal Walter Kasper, President; Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary; and Monsignor John Radano, Head of the Western Section. Continue reading “MWC offers condolences upon the death of Pope John Paul II”
Ivan Kauffman reflects on the legacy of John Paul II
Has there ever been another person mourned on a global scale in the way Pope John Paul is being mourned? We in Bridgefolk have special reason to join this outpouring of emotion and appreciation. Surely the speed with which the Mennonite Catholic bridge has developed is due, in some major way, to his leadership. It will be years if not centuries before the full impact of this historic life is apparent, but already there are several things for which we may be grateful: Continue reading “Ivan Kauffman reflects on the legacy of John Paul II”
Eucharist Is “God’s Absolute ‘No’ to Violence”
3rd Lenten Sermon by Father Cantalamessa
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 11, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Thanks to the Eucharist, “God’s absolute ‘no’ to violence, pronounced on the cross, is kept alive through the centuries,” said the Pontifical Household preacher in a Lenten meditation.
With his sacrifice, “Christ defeated violence, not opposing it with greater violence, but suffering it and laying bare all its injustice and uselessness,” said Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa today as he led the third in a series of weekly meditations during Lent.
The meditations, held in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, are attended by members of the Roman Curia and other cardinals, bishops and religious close to the Vatican.
MWC magazine on Mennonite-Catholic dialogue
The fourth quarter issue of the Mennonite World Conference Courier is now available online. The issue includes a major feature “Toward the Healing of Memories” that interviews delegates to the international dialogue between Mennonites and Catholics, along with an eloquent and historic sermon by MWC Executive Secretary Larry Miller on the importance of relating to other Christian communions.
English: http://www.mwc-cmm.org/Courier/2004/2004Courier4.pdf
Spanish: http://www.mwc-cmm.org/Correo/2004/2004Correo4.pdf
French: http://www.mwc-cmm.org/Courrier/2004/2004Courrier4.pdf
New resources for theological reflection
As part of a new effort by Bridgefolk to revitalize something called the “Mennonite Catholic Theological Colloquium” (MCTC) we have now put up a new page on our website, http://bridgefolk.net. You can find it by looking for the new “Theology” link on the yellow bar at the top of every page, or you can go directly to http://bridgefolk.net/theology.
Many of the links on this page have come elsewhere on our website and been reorganized. But a number of new articles are available too, marked by our usual yellow “New!” star.
Of special importance is an article by Darrin Belousek that urges Mennonites to strengthen their peace tradition by drawing on what Catholics call a “Consistent Ethic of Life.” The article appears with permission of The Mennonite Quarterly Review, where it is slated for formal publication. Editor John D. Roth invites responses to Belousek, possibly for publication. We hope this encourages the sort of conversation that the MCTC initiated a few years ago, and that we are looking to promote in new ways in the future.
Finally, an apology and a request: The resources we provide at http://bridgefolk.net/theology have simply come together as they have come to our attention. Unfortunately that results in a disproportionate number of pieces from two resources — myself and The Mennonite Quarterly Review, thanks its growing interest in ecumenical themes in the last few years. The request, then, is that you let me know whenever you become aware of significant pieces on themes of interest to both Mennonites and Catholics. I look forward to correcting any imbalance.
Gerald W. Schlabach
Bridgefolk Executive Director
Announcing change in location for 2005 conference
On behalf of the Bridgefolk Board, we are pleased to announce that we will be holding our 2005 conference in Harrisonburg, Virginia, at Eastern Mennonite University. Dates for the conference remain the same: Thursday evening July 21 through Sunday noon July 24.
Why the change?
The idea came from several participants–some Catholic, some Mennonite–not from anyone on the board. These persons felt that after three years of Mennonites experiencing Catholic community at Saint John’s it was time for Catholics to have the opportunity to experience Mennonite life in a Mennonite community. Continue reading “Announcing change in location for 2005 conference”