Author: gws

Mennonite and Catholic Churches in Colombia meeting this week

Representatives of three Mennonite and Brethren in Christ denominations in Colombia, South America are meeting this week with the Department of Doctrine and Ecumenism of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Colombia, as a follow-up to the international dialogue between Mennonites and Catholics.

This news comes in a letter from Pedro Stucky of Colombia to church members living outside the country, forwarded by Larry Miller of Mennonite World Conference and requesting prayer.  The text appears below, in English and Spanish.

Let us joining in prayer that this historic meeting will further “the healing of memories” in Colombia and throughout Latin America. Continue reading “Mennonite and Catholic Churches in Colombia meeting this week” →

Announcing Mennonite/Catholic Theological Colloquium, July 20-21

How Are We “Called Together?”
A Mennonite/Catholic Theological Colloquium

July 20-21, 2005
on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA

In 2004, theological exchange between Mennonites and Roman Catholics marked a historic milestone as delegations to the first international dialogue between representatives of Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Church Unity released a final report summarizing their five years of conversation.  “Called Together to be Peacemakers” (available at http://bridgefolk.net/theology) offers a common narrative of watershed events in church history especially during the 16th and 4th centuries.  It explores theological perspectives that the two traditions both share and dispute concerning the nature of the Church, sacraments and ordinances, and peacemaking.  It closes with mutual confessions of repentance for past violence and recrimination, thus inviting a “healing of memories.”

As it holds its fourth annual conference, Bridgefolk – a grassroots movement for dialogue and unity between Mennonites and Roman Catholics – invites theologians, historians and ecumenists from the two traditions to gather on the previous evening and day to reflect on what they have learned from this historic document and to explore next steps for promoting theological dialogue between Mennonites and Roman Catholics.  Scholars from other churches who regularly find themselves in conversation with both traditions are also invited to attend, along with all participants in the Bridgefolk conference to follow.

The colloquium will begin on the evening of July 20 with a keynote address by John A. Lapp, church historian and former Executive Secretary of Mennonite Central Committee on “Ecumenical Dialogue as a Ministry of Reconciliation.”  On July 21, the colloquium will hear theological reflections on “Called Together to Be Peacemakers” from both Mennonite and Roman Catholic ecumenists.  Participants will have ample opportunity for their own responses and discussion.  The meeting will conclude by exploring ways to follow through on the document’s suggestions for further study.

Invitation to 2005 Bridgefolk Conference: “Friendship on the Bridge”

Greetings in the name of our risen Savior!

I am writing to officially invite you to the 2005 gathering of Bridgefolk, to be held July 21-24 at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Attached you will find a registration form, along with a tentative program.  These items are also available at the Bridgefolk website, www.bridgefolk.net, along with additional information and program highlights.  You will note that the arrangements and costs are very similar to previous years.

This year’s Bridgefolk conference will focus on the role of friendship in building the Mennonite Catholic bridge.  As we look back over the past few years it is clear that friendships of all kinds have played a major role in bringing us to this point. The advice we once received from leaders of the Sant’Egidio ecclesial community rings true: “Proceed through friendship.”  We want to give special attention this year to how friendships in various settings and locales are creating new bridges.

Speakers this year will talk about the role of friendship in peacemaking, in community building and in ecumenical relationships, especially at the local level.  The ‘haiku’ snapshots that were such a big success last year will focus on individual stories of friendship between Mennonites and Catholics. And as usual there will be plenty of free time for participants to renew old friendships and to make new ones.

Holding this summer’s conference at Eastern Mennonite University is a major step forward for Bridgefolk.  It anchors us more firmly on the Mennonite side, and we also expect that the new location will attract a considerable number of new people into our conversation.  For that reason it’s important for people who have attended in the past to return in order to help the new participants feel welcome.

Please register as early as possible.  And think about bringing someone with you. Remember that your presence at the Bridgefolk conferences is one of the most important contributions to the bridge you can make.

Gerald W. Schlabach
Bridgefolk Executive Director

 

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.

Full story