NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
November 3, 1999

Why did a few Mennonites sit down with several Roman Catholics for seven days of talking – again? From October 12-18, seven Mennonites and six Roman Catholics met for conversation, designed to dispel misunderstandings from the past and to gain a more accurate knowledge about each other in the present. The Mennonites came on behalf of the member churches of Mennonite World Conference (MWC). The Catholics participated at the direction of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (the Vatican).

This was the second get-together of these 13 people. The first of the International Dialogues, held last fall, was hosted by the Mennonites in Strasbourg, France. The Catholics hosted this year’s event in Venice, Italy. This second round permitted the participants to inch past the initial politeness between two parties who know each other only a little, but have reason to suspect each other a lot. Continue reading “Mennonites and Catholics Meet For More Probing of the Past and Pondering the Future” →

NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
For Immediate Release
November 3, 1999

VENICE, Italy – The second meeting of the Mennonite-Roman Catholic international dialogue took place in Venice, Italy, at the Casa Cardinal Piazza, October 12-18, 1999. Co-sponsored by the Mennonite World Conference (Strasbourg) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican City), the dialogue began in 1998 and is anticipated to run for five annual sessions after which it will issue a report. Dr. Helmut Harder (Mennonite, Winnipeg, Canada) and Bishop Joseph Martino (Roman Catholic, Philadelphia PA, USA) are co-Chairmen.

Two sets of papers were presented. One set was historical in nature as the two sides seek to foster the healing of memories between Mennonites and Catholics. Continue reading “Mennonite – Roman Catholic International Dialogue” →

NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
November 2, 1998

STRASBOURG, France – Why would representatives of the Vatican suggest a meeting with Mennonites? Where might the conversation begin?

From October 14-18, a delegation of Mennonite leaders sat down with a delegation of Roman Catholic leaders to talk about relationships between the two church bodies, today as well as historically. The meeting was a first. What prompted the conversations, and why did they happen now? Continue reading “Mennonites and Roman Catholics Sit Down and Talk — for Five Days” →

NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
For Immediate Release
September 23, 1998

STRASBOURG, France – Nearly five hundred years after they separated, Mennonites and Roman Catholics will be sitting down together to talk.

“Toward a Healing of the Memories” is the name of a dialogue scheduled for October 14-18 in Strasbourg, France. Six Mennonites, led by Helmut Harder, theologian and general secretary of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, will begin conversation with representatives from one of the world’s oldest and most powerful churches. Continue reading “Mennonites and Roman Catholics to Converse” →