ecumenism – Page 7 – Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome

Methodist and Reformed Offices Host Luncheon for Synod Fraternal Delegates

October 15, 2024October 29, 2024meorome

The Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and the Reformed Churches Ecumencial Office in Rome hosted a luncheon on 11 October 2024 for the fraternal delegates to the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, commonly known as the Synod on Synodality. In addition to the delegates from Protestant and Orthodox churches, the luncheon also included H.Em. Cardinal Mario Grech and Sr. Nathalie Becquart XMCJ from the General Secretariat of the Synod, Brothers Alois, Matthew, and Richard from the Taize Community, Ms. Margaret Karram from the Focolare Movement, Pastor Luca Baratto from the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, and Fr. James Loughran from Centro Pro Unione. Also in attendance was H.E. Mons. Flavio Pace and Fr. Martin Browne OSB from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Promoting Christian Unity.

The luncheon was held in Hotel Casa Valdese near the Vatican. The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, noted that Casa Valdese is one place in Rome where the Methodists and Reformed meet, as the hotel is owned by the Methodist-Waldensian Church in Italy, a union of Methodist and Reformed churches.

As the luncheon was held on the 62nd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Rev. Laferty read a short excerpt from Methodist Observer at Vatican II by Albert C. Outler. Outler was one of the official Methodist observers to the Second Vatican Council. Rev. Laferty concluded with Outler’s words:

What could come of such a Church in council? Some of us expected very little. None of us foresaw what actually happened.

Rev. Laferty said the Synod on Synodality holds the same sentiment and hoped that the Synod would positively impact the ecumenical movement like the Second Vatican Council.

Rev. Tara Curlewis, the ecumenical liaison officer of the Reformed Churches Ecumenical Office, also welcomed the guests and thanked them for their contributions to the Synod. She discussed how the Synod is already guiding the work of Christian unity and pointing us to deeper communion. She offered a blessing before the meal.

Photo gallery: Various photos from the luncheon. Photos by Tara Curlewis/WCRC.

Photo top: Rev. Laferty, Cardinal Mario Grech, Sr. Nathalie Becquart, Rev. Curlewis. Photo by Dirk Lange/LWF.

Methodists Worldwide Represented at Important Vatican Synod

October 14, 2024October 19, 2024meorome

ROME (MEOR) – The Catholic Church has convened an important synod in the Vatican on 4 October with Catholic bishops, priests, and lay people from around the world. Pope Francis invited 16 delegates from Protestant and Orthodox churches to attend and participate in in the Synod on Synodality. The Reverend Prof. Jong Chun Park, immediate past president of the World Methodist Council, is representing Methodists at the 4 week-long meeting.

In October 2021, Pope Francis initiated a multi-year process of listening and consultation across the Catholic Church, instructing every diocese worldwide to engage Catholic parishes, other churches, different religions, and people living on the margins in listening and discernment. The synodal journey emphasizes communion, participation, and mission.

The process culminated in the Synod on Synodality, a two-part international meeting of laity, clergy, and bishops meeting in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024. Pope Francis attends many of the sessions as he will confirm the outcomes of the Synod.

Prof. Park shares about the work of the Synod following the inaugural session of the second plenary on 4 October:

Prof. Park made an intervention, or plenary speech, in the Synod proceedings on 11 October. In his speech, Prof. Park contextualizes his listening to the Holy Spirit within Korea’s Confucius and Buddhist heritage. Prof. Park said, “the Holy Spirit urges me to listen to Confucius for the sake of Christ in order to be a more faithful person as I witness Christian faith.” He went on to say that listening to the teachings of Buddha enables him to be a more merciful person as he shares Christian love. Finally, Prof. Park noted that the 19th century Korean sage Suwun “illuminates my darkened soul….to be a more hopeful person as I witness Christian hope….Soo-on is the one who gave [the Korean people] a hope which echoes a vision of the hopeful St. Paul’s new creation.”

Following his plenary speech, Prof. Park spoke about the Synod, its methodology, and work during the second week:

The proceedings of the Synod are confidential. A concluding report with recommendations will be drafted in the week of 20 October by a commission appointed by the Synod. This commission includes Bishop Shane Mackinlay and Prof. Catherine Clifford who are both members of the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission.

The Synod will be closed on 27 October with Catholic Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. After the Synod, a new phase of work will be initated for the reception of the Synod’s work.

Photo above: Prof. Jong Chun Park (left) with Pope Francis (right) on 11 October inside the Hall of Paul VI inside the Vatican. Photo by Vatican Media.

Lead United Methodist Bishop in Nigeria and Spouse Meet Pope Francis

October 11, 2024October 29, 2024meorome

Bishop John Schol, lead bishop ad interim of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, along with Mrs. Beverly Schol met Pope Francis following the General Audience on 9 October 2024. They were accompanied by Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, who introduced them to Pope Francis.

Bishop John Schol (right) meeting Pope Francis (left) in St. Peter’s Square as Rev. Matthew Laferty (middle) introduces him. Photo by Vatican Media.
Bishop John Schol (right) and Mrs. Beverly Schol (second right) meeting Pope Francis (left) in St. Peter’s Square as Rev. Matthew Laferty (middle) looks on. Photo by Vatican Media.