Update on Lutheran Mennonite Dialogue

For Immediate Release

July 8, 2005

LUTHERAN-MENNONITE INTERNATIONAL STUDY COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON CONDEMNATIONS OF ANABAPTISTS

Strasbourg, France – The first meeting of the Lutheran-Mennonite International Study Commission took place at the Institute for Ecumenical Research here June 27 to July 1. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) sponsor this Study Commission.

The mandate of the commission is to consider the condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessional writings and their applicability to the teaching of Anabaptists/Mennonites today.

The commission heard major papers by Lutheran Prof. Dr. Gottfried Seebass, Heidelberg, Germany, and Mennonite Prof. Dr. John Roth, Goshen, Indiana, (USA) on “The Condemnations of Anabaptists in the Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord: Their Historical Meaning, Purpose and Effect.”

Through its deliberations the commission became more deeply sensitive to the lasting memory of the suffering of Anabaptists at the time of the Reformation as a result of persecution by civil authorities in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed areas. For Mennonites, the condemnations in Lutheran confessions have played a role in this regard. The commission is also aware that Christians of all confessions were victims of persecution in that period. Reflection on this matter raises serious questions concerning the theological rationale for pursuing religious and social goals by violent means, including torture and killing. Continue reading “Update on Lutheran Mennonite Dialogue” →

MWC news release on Mennonite / Lutheran dialogue

The following news release concerns an ecumenical dialogue between Mennonites and Lutherans that in many ways parallels the dialogue between the Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Church Unity. Many of you will find it of interest.

NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference

For Immediate Release
June 20, 2005

MENNONITES AND LUTHERANS WEIGH
16TH CENTURY ANABAPTIST CONDEMNATIONS

Strasbourg, France – Does the condemnation of Anabaptists spelled out in the
1530 Augsburg Confession apply to Mennonite World Conference member and
related churches today?

Mennonite and Lutheran scholars, theologians and historians will offer their
perspectives on this question at the first international MWC and Lutheran
World Federation Study Commission to be held at the Ecumenical Institute
here June 27 – July 1.

Planning for the international commission began in 2004 and will build on
national dialogues that have already been held between Mennonites and
Lutherans in France, Germany and the United States over several years. Those
discussions touched on similarities and differences between the faith groups
around issues such as baptism, the Lord’s Supper and relations between
church and state. But they also dealt with the Augsburg Confession and its
condemnation of Anabaptists, which is still foundational in Lutheran liturgy
and theology worldwide.

What connections exist between the Augsburg Confession’s condemnation of
Anabaptists and their execution in Lutheran lands in the 16th century? Does
the confession perpetuate mistaken images of Anabaptists and justify the
violence against them? What consequences emerge for relationships between
today’s Mennonites and Lutherans?

Questions such as these were raised in national dialogues. The commission
will consider whether conclusions reached there on these and other questions
can be received internationally.

The Study Commission’s primary work in Strasbourg will be on the Augsburg
Confession and its impact on today’s MWC and related churches. The
commission’s conclusions will be reported to the governing bodies of MWC and
the LWF for further action and possible official statements. Planners
anticipate three annual international dialogues.

Co-chairing the commission will be Rev. Rainer Burkhart, Mennonite church
leader in Germany, and Dr. Gottfried Seebass, Lutheran theologian, also
from Germany. Co-secretaries for the commission are Dr. Larry Miller from
Strasbourg, MWC executive secretary, and Rev. Sven Oppegaard from Geneva,
LWF Associate General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs.

Study Commission members include participants from each of the previous
national dialogues. Other Mennonites among them are Dr. Claude Baecher,
theologian and professor from France; and Dr. John Roth, church history
professor from Goshen College (USA). New to Lutheran/Mennonite discussion is
Hellen Bradburn, a Mennonite theologian from Arusha, Tanzania, an area that
has approximately three million Lutherans.

—
Ferne Burkhardt, News Editor
Mennonite World Conference

German Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns lectures on the role of peace churches in ecumenical movement

NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference
For Immediate Release

June 14, 2005

Fernando Enns lectures in Canada address

‘A peace church in conversation’

Waterloo, Ont. (Canada) — “Our insights do not only belong to ourselves,
but are our gifts to the whole church.” This was Dr. Fernando Enns’
challenge to Anabaptist/Mennonites in his March 16 address at Conrad Grebel
University College here. The evening lecture, entitled “The Peace Church:
Dialogue and Diversity in the Ecumenical Movement,” was part of the fifth
annual Bechtel Lectures in Anabaptist/Mennonite Studies. Continue reading “German Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns lectures on the role of peace churches in ecumenical movement” →

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” →

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” →

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

Mennonites receive award from Catholic voluntary service organization

Network accepts on behalf of Mennonites in world service

(Editor’s note: This a joint release by Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee.)

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — On Nov. 13, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service

(CNVS) presented its Father George Mader Award to a group outside of the Catholic tradition for the first time in its 15-year history. Mennonite Mission Network accepted the award at the CNVS National Conference on behalf of Mennonites in mission across the world, including Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

The Mission Network and MCC serve the church in more than 60 countries through direct relief, peacemaking and community development with resources of around $73 million U.S., engaging close to 2,000 personnel committed to terms of one year or more.

Del Hershberger, Mission Network director of Christian Service, accepted the award, which honors organizations and individuals that encourage Christian men and women to serve others in the U.S. and abroad. CNVS representatives singled out Mennonite Voluntary Service, a Mission Network program, for special acclaim.

“For six decades, Mennonite Voluntary Service of the Mennonite Mission Network has been a powerful influence serving the poor and marginalized in hundreds of communities throughout North America,” said Jim Lindsay, CNVS executive director. “MVS has been a powerful influence on the church.

Thousands of Mennonites (and increasingly people from other denominations) have served the marginalized people of North America in the past six decades. In the process, they themselves were served and transformed by the oppressed and hurting people among whom they lived and worked.”

Hershberger agreed that MVS, and service in general, has transformed the church over the last century. “We have become engaged with the needs and brokenness of the world. We have gone from being a rural people in close-knit communities, to being more urban and integrated into mainstream society. We have also become engaged in more ecumenical conversations and have built bridges to other Christian groups who are seeking to follow Jesus daily in life, and to be vessels of healing and hope in this broken world,” Hershberger said.

CNVS created the Father George Mader Award in 1989 to honor organizations and individuals that encourage lay men and women to serve others in the United States and abroad. The award is named after Father George Mader, of the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., who, together with his sister, Patricia Mader Stalker, in 1963 founded the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service, a non-profit association of more than 200 domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs which currently has more than 12,000 volunteers and lay missioners serving in its member programs throughout the U.S. and in 115 countries worldwide.

———————————————————————-

Reprinting this article is encouraged.
Please send clippings to
MCC Communications
P.O. Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500