The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, gave a short interview on the upcoming ecumenical event and prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on 30 September.
Author: meorome
NEWS – WMHS, IAMSCU Leaders Visit Vatican and International Partners in Rome
The Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome hosted senior leaders from the World Methodist Historical Society and the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities from 3-6 September 2023. The delegation included Dr. Amos Nascimento, chairperson of the World Methodist Council Education Committee and executive secretary of the Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities, the Rev Dr Greg Bergquist, IAMSCU general officer, Dr. Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the World Methodist Historical Society, and Dr Ulrike Schuler, GBHEM LEaD Hub Europe director. WMHS and IAMSCU are programs of the World Methodist Council.
MEOR arranged the following meetings:
- Visit to the Waldensian School of Theology in Rome which trains ministers for the Methodist-Waldensian Church in Italy. We met Rev Dr Eric Noffke who is a New Testament scholar and represents the theological school to the Methodist Theological Schools in Europe network.
- Briefing by Rev Luca Baratto from the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy about their work and the presence of Protestant churches in Italy
- Tour of the Historical Archives of St. Peter’s Basilica where the group saw both historical records and artifacts from the Basilica, including a letter written by Michaelangelo and the pieces of the former ciborium above Peter’s tomb
- Briefing and exchanging by Bishop Paul Tighe and officials from the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education about Catholic education and educational networks
- Tour of the Vatican Library and meeting with Bishop Angelo Vincenzo Zani, the Librarian and Archivist of the Roman Catholic Church
- Briefing by Fr Martin Browne OSB, Vatican official for Methodist relations at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, about Methodist-Catholic international relations
Rev. Bergquist also preached at Ponte Sant’Angelo Methodist Church in Rome on 3 September.
Additionally, the delegation greeted Pope Francis on 6 September following the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Read news coverage of the visit:
- Visits from Representatives of the World Methodist Council to DPCU from the Vatican ecumenical department
- Pope delighted with John Wesley bobblehead from the United Methodist News Service
Above photo copyright © Vatican Media
EVENT – Ecumenical Prayer Service for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on 28 September
The Church Leaders Group (Ireland) in collaboration with the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and Ecumenical Partners in Rome cordially invites you to an ecumenical prayer service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on Thursday, 28 September 2023 at 10:00 at the Waldensian Church at Piazza Cavour (Via Marianna Dionigi 59, 00193 Roma).
A major development in the peace process in Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement brought peace to the region and self-government in Northern Ireland through power-sharing.
The heads of the Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, and Presbyterian Churches will co-preside at the ecumenical prayer service. Church leaders participating in the ecumenical prayer service in Rome are:
- H.E. Archbishop Eamon Martin
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland (Catholic Church) - The Rev. David Turtle
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland - The Most Rev. John McDowell
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland (Church of Ireland) - Rt Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney
Moderator Presbyterian Church in Ireland - The Rt Revd Andrew Forster
Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and President of the Irish Council of Churches
The Church Leaders Group (Ireland) comprises the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of all Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the President of the Irish Council of Churches. All of these represent all–Ireland denominations with churches across the whole of the island of Ireland. The Group came into existence in the late 1960s when the Church Leaders recognized the value in working together in light of the urgency of political developments of the time. Since then, those holding these offices have met frequently, united in their identity as disciples of Jesus and their shared commitment to work together for the common good.
NEWS – Methodist Leaders Participate in Sant’Egidio International Peace Meeting in Berlin
The Reverend Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, and the Reverend Dr. Jong Chun Park, president of the World Methodist Council, were among the 260 invited participants of the Sant’Egidio International Peace Meeting in Berlin. The meeting took place from 10-12 September under the theme ‘Audacity of Peace.’ During the meeting, Chancellor Olaf Scholz briefed the invited participants about the German government’s policy on peace and war in Europe with a special emphasis on the war in Ukraine. The closing ceremony took place in Pariser Platz in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate.
EVENT – “Together | Gathering of the People of God” from 29 September – 1 October
The Taize Community in partnership with the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and 50 Christian communions, movements, and organizations are organizing a special weekend of prayer, learning, and service.
Young people aged 18 to 35 from different European countries and from all Christian traditions are invited to come to Rome from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon for a weekend of sharing. They will be hosted by the parishes and communities of Rome and stay with local people.
At the heart of this weekend of sharing will be an ecumenical prayer vigil in Rome on 30 September 2023, in the presence of Pope Francis and representatives of various churches. Open to all the People of God, this prayer together will include listening to the Word of God, praise and intercession, Taizé songs and silence – a strong sign of fellowship, unity and peace.
Who can take part in the gathering?
The Saturday prayer vigil is open to everyone. Young adults from 18 to 35 can come to Rome from Friday evening to Sunday. They will be hosted by parishes and Christian communities of the city.
What will be the program for young people?
- Arrival on Friday
Young adults taking part in the whole weekend should arrive on Friday 29/09 afternoon. They will be assigned to a host parish which will offer them hospitality. - Saturday morning
Saturday 30/09 morning will start with a programme split up into different “pathways” with meetings in different parts of Rome. - Workshops & round-tables
Participants will take part in workshops and round-tables on different themes in churches of different denominations and other places. - Praise and worship
A highlight of the weekend for young adults will be a time of praise and worship in an iconic location in the centre of Rome at the beginning of the afternoon on Saturday. - Prayer vigil
This ecumenical prayer vigil open to everyone will take place on St Peter’s Square in Rome on the Saturday evening. Pope Francis and representatives of different Churches will participate.
Visit the event website for more information and register for the event – together2023.net
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome 