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     The third meeting of the Mennonite-Roman Catholic international dialogue took place at the Thomashof Tagungsstätte, a Mennonite conference centre near Karlsruhe, Germany, November 24-30, 2000. Eight Mennonites, from six countries and four continents, and seven Catholics participated in these sessions.
     Co-sponsored by the Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican City, the dialogue began in 1998. It will run for five annual sessions, after which it will issue a report.
     The general purpose of the dialogue is to promote better understanding of the positions about Christian faith held by both groups, and to contribute to overcoming prejudices that have existed between Mennonites and Catholics since the 16th century. It is hoped that out of this experience will come a healing of memories and relationships.
     In commenting on the significance of this mutual study process, Helmut Harder said, "The discussion increased our appreciation for the historical positions of each of our two church bodies, and together we expressed regret for the church's use of force in evangelization and for its persecuting of religious minorities."
     Concerns raised about the Mennonite-Catholic discussions in a letter from the Paraguay Inter-Mennonite Peace Committee were discussed by the dialogue group.
     The dialogue participants have grown closer as a result of the forthright discussions, worship experiences and fellowship they have had during the past three years. They can thus share both affirmations and matters of concern freely with each other. The Mennonite delegates spoke frankly about the deep wounds which still exist in Mennonite and other churches in various parts of the world where they had been persecuted or pressured by Catholics and others.
     But the need for healing is not a one-sided matter. During one of the discussions John Radano, a Catholic participant, noted, "We have heard clearly from Anabaptist-Mennonites what they think happened in the 16th century. It is important to also say how Catholics, Lutherans and others saw the Anabaptists. The rest of Christianity saw Anabaptists as threatening the Apostolic Church. This fact needs to be part of the healing of memories, too."
     The Mennonite delegates asserted that the section on the church in the statement, Dominus Iesus, which was issued by the Catholic Church last year, was not helpful in building relationships between the Catholic Church and other churches.
     One test of the international dialogue with Catholics, they agreed, is whether or not it will bring about greater understanding at the local level.