Tag: Peace and nonviolence

Joint statement by Mennonites and Catholics to WCC Decade to Overcome Violence now available

Following up on their 1998-2003 dialogue and ground-breaking document, Called Together to Be Peacemakers Mennonite and Catholic leaders met together for a brief conference October 23-25, 2007 in order to offer joint suggestions for the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV). The DOV will culminate in an International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in 2011. In preparation, representatives from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Mennonite World Conference met at the Centro Pro Unione in Rome with the goal of submitting theological reflections that Mennonites and Catholics, committed to overcoming violence, might affirm together as a witness to peace in the ecumenical context. Continue reading “Joint statement by Mennonites and Catholics to WCC Decade to Overcome Violence now available” →

Bridgefolk seeks sermons, poetry and art for book project

Bridgefolk is inviting sermons and homilies as well as poetry and art that reflect on the relationship between eating together at the Lord’s Table and our life of Christian peacemaking. Submissions will be considered for publication in a new book, We Are Each Other’s Bread and Wine: Mennonite and Catholic Reflections on Eucharist and Peacemaking.

This book project is a collaborative effort among Mennonites and Catholics to share reflections and convictions on the profound gifts of each tradition — the Eucharist and peacemaking — for the sake of encouraging richer Christian worship and more faithful Christian discipleship in the world. The contents of the book will be invited from Catholic and Mennonite communities in the United States, Canada, and abroad. The Institute of Mennonite Studies (AMBS) plans to publish the book jointly with a Catholic publisher.

We hope the book will explore questions such as:

  • How does the feast we share nourish our passion for peacemaking?
  • How does the ministry of Jesus and his work on the cross inspire us to become peacemakers?
  • How do our active lives of working for justice and making peace call us back to the Lord’s Table.

For information on how to submit entries, go to http://www.bridgefolk.net/misc/sermons.

Mennonite delegation well received by Catholic leaders in Rome

News Service
November 5, 2007

Strasbourg, France – Mennonites and Catholics are developing a common
statement to the World Council of Churches (WCC) as it prepares for the
International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in 2011. The convocation,
convened by the WCC, will come as the culmination of the WCC “Decade to
Overcome Violence. Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace” (2001 – 2010). Continue reading “Mennonite delegation well received by Catholic leaders in Rome” →

Join us in prayer, as Vatican hosts worldwide Mennonite representatives

Please join us in prayer as Mennonite delegates from 10 countries around the world travel to Rome for continuing consultations on Mennonite-Catholic dialogue and peace.   Continue reading “Join us in prayer, as Vatican hosts worldwide Mennonite representatives” →

Pope Approves Objector for Beatification

Last week news we learned that Pope Benedict XVI has officially recognized Franz Jägerstätter as a martyr. Jägerstätter was a Catholic conscientious objector in Nazi-occupied Austria at a time when the Catholic Church did not yet recognize the legitimacy of conscientious objection from military service. His witness has been a source of encouragement as the ranks of Catholic conscientious objectors and peacebuilders has grown since the Second Vatican Council. The Catholic Peace Fellowship explains the significance of this news in a just-released article: Continue reading “Pope Approves Objector for Beatification” →

Mennonite Central Committee leads ecumenical delegation to Iran

An ecumenical delegation organized by Mennonite Central Committee — the arm of Mennonite churches in North America for relief, development and peacemaking — has just returned from Iran. Among the delegation was David Robinson, executive director of the Catholic peace organization Pax Christi USA. Continue reading “Mennonite Central Committee leads ecumenical delegation to Iran” →

Benedict XVI calls for a “Christian revolution”

Invites Faithful to Respond to Evil With Good

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 18, 2007  (Zenit.org).- The “Christian revolution” of love is able to uproot evil and sow goodness in the world, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope made that statement today when addressing the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square who defied the inclement weather to attend the recitation of the Angelus. In his address, the Holy Father reflected on Jesus’ mandate: “Love your enemies,” read in this Sunday’s liturgy.

“Christ’s proposal is realistic, because it takes into account that in the world there is too much violence, too much injustice, and that this situation cannot be overcome without positing more love, more kindness,” Benedict XVI said. “This ‘more’ comes from God.” Continue reading “Benedict XVI calls for a “Christian revolution”” →

Two new books by Bridgefolk (good conference prep!)

Earlier this year Herald Press published two books written or edited by Bridgefolk board members Marlene Kropf and Gerald Schlabach.  The themes of peacemaking and worship at God’s table coincide with the theme of our upcoming conference: Making Peace: At Table, in the World.   Dip into one or both of these books as you prepare to attend the conference or join us in prayer.   Continue reading “Two new books by Bridgefolk (good conference prep!)” →