International Dialogue between the Catholic Church and Mennonite World Conference

A dialogue between Catholics and Mennonites took place over a five-year period, from 1998-2003. The general purpose of the dialogue was to get better acquainted, to better understand Catholic and Mennonite positions on Christian faith and to contribute to overcoming long-held prejudices.

Under discussion were the intersection of the history of the two denominations; theology around the nature of the church, sacraments and ordinances and the commitment to peace; and addressing the healing of memories.

“Called together to be peacemakers,” the report on this dialogue is available in five languages. Click here to read the English document.

A Mennonite delegation visited the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome (October 18-23, 2007) to report responses of member churches to the “Called together to be peacemakers,” report and to raise concerns they heard from member churches about the Catholic Church.
Statement: A Mennonite Ecclesiology in Outline

From October 23 – 25, 2007, several Mennonite and Catholic leaders worked together in Rome on a joint statement addressing biblical and theological foundations of peace, peace and discipleship, and particular peace challenges the churches face today. The statement proposed recommendations for the World Council of Churches to consider as it plans for a 2011 convocation.

Two national conferences in 2007, one with the Colombia Catholic Bishops Conference and one with the German Catholic Bishops Conference brought together leaders of MWC member churches and Catholics. The Colombia conference included Anabaptist leaders from other countries in the region. The conference in Germany included the presentation of the “Called together to be peacemakers” report and presentations on the healing of memories.


International Dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation and Mennonite World Conference

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and MWC International Study Commission met in 2006 and 2007 in Strasbourg to consider the condemnation s of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessional writings and their appicability to the teaching of Anabaptist-Mennonites today. The 2007 meeting also included discussion on the “Called together to be peacemakers” report from the Mennonite and Catholic dialogue. The last meeting has taken place in June 2008 with a final report anticipated before the end of 2008.