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Category: News
Harder to address future of Canadian ecumenism
Winnipeg, Man. — Dr. Helmut Harder, Professor Emeritus, Canadian Mennonite University, and former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada, will be a keynote speaker at the 20th Summer Ecumenical Institute at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, July 6 – 9.
Harder has a long history of working with ecumenical agenda, and is noted particularly for his initiative and years of experience in fostering a Roman Catholic-Mennonite dialogue, addressing both commonalities and differences. Continue reading “Harder to address future of Canadian ecumenism”
Vatican announces day of reflection, dialogue and prayer in Assisi
VATICAN CITY, 2 APR 2011 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office today published the following English-language communique:
“On 1 January 2011, after the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he wished to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the historic meeting that took place in Assisi on 27 October 1986, at the wish of the Venerable Servant of God John Paul II. On the day of the anniversary, 27 October this year, the Holy Father intends to hold a ‘Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world’, making a pilgrimage to the home of St. Francis and inviting fellow Christians from different denominations, representatives of the world’s religious traditions and, in some sense, all men and women of good will, to join him once again on this journey. Continue reading “Vatican announces day of reflection, dialogue and prayer in Assisi”
Churches prepare for International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica in May
The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) will be a “harvest festival” celebrating the achievements of the Decade to Overcome Violence which began in 2001. At the same time it encourages individuals and churches to renew their commitment to nonviolence, peace and justice. In the video below, Mennonite theologian and ecumenical leader Dr. Fernando Enns of Germany, introduces the convocation, which will be held in Kingston, Jamaica, May 17-25.
Continue reading “Churches prepare for International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica in May”
Pope links violence in God’s name to Antichrist
Vatican City (ENInews). Violence committed in the name of God or religion is a “favorite instrument of the Antichrist,” Pope Benedict XVI writes in a new book on the life and teachings of Jesus.
“Violence does not build up the kingdom of God, the kingdom of humanity,” Benedict writes. “On the contrary, it is a favorite instrument of the Antichrist, however idealistic its religious motivation may be. It serves not humanity, but inhumanity.” Continue reading “Pope links violence in God’s name to Antichrist”
Canadian Mennonite magazine reports on Lutheran-Mennonite reconciliation
The January 10 issue of Canadian Mennonite magazine reports on two events last fall in Ontario celebrating dialogue and reconciliation between Mennonites and Lutherans. Click here to read articles.
Bridgefolk featured on Australian radio
Bridgefolk co-chairs Marlene Kropf and Abbot John Klassen were recently interviewed for an Australian radio show discussing modern ecumenism. The interview will air this weekend and soon be available online.
A preview from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:
ABC Radio National – Encounter 20 February 2011
Convergences: ecumenical stories
What has happened to ecumenism, since the early enthusiasm of the sixties and seventies? The stories of convergence told in this Encounter tell of points of unity within diversity.
In the great ecumenical excitement of the 1960s, Rev Dr Norman Young (once Methodist and now Uniting Church) and Fr Gerald O’Collins SJ (Catholic priest and theologian) became friends. Their ideas converged on the importance of ecumenism – and on the figure of Jesus
Political scientist Scott Waalkes comes from a Calvinist background – but he has taken up with the Catholic tradition’s use of the liturgical calendar and with theology, in order to critique globalisation.
And in Minnesota, Mennonites (Anabaptists) meet up with Benedictine monks.
“The Road to Nonviolence:” America magazine assesses ecumenical peace efforts
Two special designations were proclaimed for this millennium’s first decade, which comes to an end this year: the Decade to Overcome Violence, sponsored by the World Council of Churches; and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World, sponsored by the United Nations. The core objective of the World Council of Churches’ decade was to move the concern for peace from the periphery of the churches to their very center.
To view the rest of the article, click here.
Cardinal Turkson: Today’s Wars Won’t Bring Future Peace
Justice, Peace Council President Stresses Role of Religions in Reconciliation
BERLIN, Germany, NOV. 29, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The wars of today will not lead to the peace of tomorrow, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
This was affirmed by Cardinal Peter Turkson in an address at a congress of the German Bishops’ Conference Commission for Justice and Peace.
The congress, which was held in Berlin in November, focused on the theme, “Wars of Today, Peace of Tomorrow.”
“It is becoming increasingly clear, especially in today’s world, how a seemingly ‘small’ and ‘local’ conflict can trigger ‘global’ consequences,” the prelate observed. Continue reading “Cardinal Turkson: Today’s Wars Won’t Bring Future Peace”