We Pledge Allegiance…

by Gerald Schlabach

In a time of crisis, uncertainty, and policy debate, one would think that Christians in the United States would agree: When in doubt, we should support our leader and remain loyal to our nation.

Our leader, of course, is Jesus Christ. Our nation, of course, is the people called church, spread around the globe. Our pledge of allegiance, of course, is one that can be sung from within “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelations 5:9). Of course? Continue reading “We Pledge Allegiance…” →

Mennonite-Catholic dialogue featured in Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano

International Contacts Between Mennonites and Catholics

by John A. Radano

For its relationship with Mennonites, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is in touch with the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) whose central office is in Strasbourg, France. Those communities from different parts of the world adhering to the MWC consist altogether of about one million persons.

There were two important contacts in this past year. First, the President of the MWC, Dr. Mesach Kristeya accepted the invitation of Pope John Paul II to participate in the “Day of Prayer for Peace in the World” January 24, 2002, in Assisi, and read one of the ten statements of commitment in the third part of that day. Second, another session took place of the international dialogue organized by the MWC and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Continue reading “Mennonite-Catholic dialogue featured in Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano“ →

More affirmation of ecclesial movements from the Vatican

RELIGIOUS LIFE AND NEW MOVEMENTS EXTOLLED AS COMPLEMENTARY
Called to Respond to Today’s Dehumanization, Says Official

ROME, DEC. 4, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Religious congregations and ecclesial movements need one another, and there are particular areas where they can cooperate, said conferees at a recent assembly.

The areas where they could cooperate include the struggle against poverty, commitment against war, spirituality and interreligious dialogue.

That was a conclusion of the 61st semester assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG), which focused on the topic “Laity and Religious Together Before the Challenges of the Third Millennium.” Continue reading “More affirmation of ecclesial movements from the Vatican” →

Summary of Steering Committee Meeting, November 2002

The Bridgefolk Steering Committee met a St. John’s November 8-10, 2002. Present were: Sheri Hostetler; Ivan and Lois Kauffman; Abbot John Klassen, OSB; Marlene and Stan Kropf; Weldon Nisly; Gerald Schlabach; William Skudlarek, OSB; and Regina Wilson. Subjects covered included: creating a mission statement, confirming the Bridgefolk name, considering structures for the organization, planning the 2003 conference; reviewing the newsletter and suggesting the idea of regional groups. Continue reading “Summary of Steering Committee Meeting, November 2002” →

Joint news release: Mennonite-Catholic International Dialogue

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) and
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
November 14, 2002

AKRON, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – The fifth meeting of the Mennonite-Catholic international dialogue took place at the headquarters of the Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pennsylvania, October 25-31, 2002. Co-sponsored by the Mennonite World Conference (Strasbourg, France) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican City), the dialogue began in 1998, has met annually since then and is working toward issuing a final report in 2003. Dr. Helmut Harder (Mennonite, Winnipeg, Canada) and Bishop Joseph Martino (Catholic, Philadelphia PA, USA) are co-chairmen. Continue reading “Joint news release: Mennonite-Catholic International Dialogue” →

“Handing Us Back Ourselves:”
On the Rediscovery of Mennonite Spirituality

by Mary Schertz
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

An updated version of this article entitled
“Seeking the Taproot of Anabaptist Spirituality”
is now available at
http://www.cascadiapublishinghouse.com/dsm/autumn04/schema.htm

Have we, as Mennonite people of faith, “lost our spirituality,” or perhaps never claimed a spirituality and, consequently, do we need to look to other traditions, such as Catholic spirituality, in order to recover this vital aspect of religious commitment? These questions emerged recently in the context of the recent consultation on Mennonite-Catholic dialog held at St. John’s Abbey in the rolling hills of Steuben County, Minnesota-Lake Wobegon country. It was a wonderful weekend-replete with Benedictine hospitality, reunion with old friends and the excitement of making new ones, stimulating papers, reciting Psalms with the monks, singing hymns with the Mennonites, good food and great (relatively cool) weather. Continue reading ““Handing Us Back Ourselves:”
On the Rediscovery of Mennonite Spirituality” →

Three Things for Liberals to Ponder

by Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Things rarely are simple. Nothing, save God, comes without a shadow.

That’s good to keep in mind when we assess the pros and cons of liberals and conservatives. Each brings something to the table and each too has an achilles heel.

What is the achilles heel within liberal Catholicism? I suggest three places where liberal Catholicism (Protestantism included) might want to do some self-scrutiny: Continue reading “Three Things for Liberals to Ponder” →

International Contacts Between Mennonites and Catholics

by John A. Radano

by Mary Schertz Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

by Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

by Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

by Mark and Louise Zwick

by Mary Schertz
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary