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Rev. Laferty Speaks About Journey and International Ecumenism at Yale University

November 16, 2025November 20, 2025meorome

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, spoke about his calling and his ministry in Rome during a public conversation held at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Rev. Laferty’s talk on 7 November 2025 was entitled, “A Methodist at the Vatican: The Work of Ecumenical Ministry at the Holy See.” Sponsored by the YDS Transformational Leadership program, the event featured a conversation between Rev. Laferty and Prof. Mark Heim, followed by audience questions.

In addition to the public conversation, Rev. Laferty taught an intensive leadership seminar to graduate-level students on the international ecumenical movement, Methodist-Catholic relations, and methods for international dialogue.

Yale Divinity School is one of 13 professional schools at Yale University.

Photo: Sterling Divinity Quadrangle houses Yale Divinity School. Photo by M. Laferty

Methodists Attend Major International Interreligious Peace Conference – October 2025

November 4, 2025December 2, 2025meorome

ROME (MEOR) – Bishop Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett, president of the World Methodist Council, and the Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, attended the 39th annual international peace meeting ‘Spirit of Assisi’ in Rome from 26-28 October 2025 organized by the Sant’Egidio Community. The theme for the peace meeting was ‘Daring Peace’. Bishop Wallace-Padgett was among the cohort of senior religious leaders participating in the conference. Deacon Alessandra Trotta, moderator of the Methodist-Waldensian Church in Italy, and Lord Griffiths of Burry Port FLSW, minister of the Methodist Church of Great Britain and member of the House of Lords (UK), were additional Methodist participants. Alongside leaders from various Christian churches, senior leaders from the world’s major religions including Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and others also attended the interreligious conference.

Bishop Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett (left) and Pope Leo XIV (right) greet each other before the final ceremony at the Sant’Egidio International Meeting of Peace on 28 October 2025 © Vatican Media

Bishop Wallace-Padgett and Deacon Trotta spoke on a panel on stopping the death penalty during the conference.

The Christian conference invitees prayed together in the Colosseum before the closing ceremony. Among the other church leaders present were Pope Leo of the Catholic Church, Patriarch Mar Awa III from the Assyrian Church of the East, and Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Lutheran World Federation.

Other Methodists who participated in aspects of the conference were Ms Stephanie Gabuyo from WMC Youth and Young Adults, Rev Mirella Manocchio from Via XX Settembre Methodist Church, and Rev Sarah Mae Gabuyo from Ponte Sant’Angelo Methodist Church.

Communique from Methodist-Catholic Commission Plenary, October 2025

October 29, 2025November 4, 2025meorome

The Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission met in plenary session in San Salvador, El Salvador, from 19 to 24 October 2025, building on its work on the theme of diversity, unity, and communion for mission. The Commission, officially called the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church, was established in 1967 as the bilateral theological dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church with the goal of full communion in faith, sacramental life, and mission. The meeting in San Salvador is the fourth annual meeting in the 12th round of the international Catholic-Methodist theological dialogue.

The Commission received a report on its pending publication of We Believe in One God: Sixty Years of Methodists and Catholics Together. The document synthesizes the Commission’s eleven previous official dialogue reports, which demonstrates the common Christian faith shared by Catholics and Methodists. A culmination of nearly two years of work, the publication is the Commission’s contribution to the celebrations marking the 1700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

The Commission dedicated the majority of its meeting to exploring the themes of unity, diversity, and communion for mission. A draft report was reviewed by the Commission exploring these themes: models of discernment of the essentials of the Christian faith, the meaning and practice of unity and diversity in Methodist and Catholic churches, and communion as integral for the mission of the church. The draft report also included a chapter with concrete recommendations to Catholic and Methodist leaders to further deepen the communion already shared by Methodists and Catholics. The Commission expects to finalize the report by the end of 2026.

Bishop Juan de Dios Peña from the Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador, along with clergy and lay leaders, hosted the Commission for Eucharist followed by a dinner at the Vida Nueva Methodist Church in San Salvador. Bishop Peña preached on the meaning of unity from John 17.

The Commission visited a number of pilgrimage sites related to St. Oscar Romero and other Christian martyrs of El Salvador, including the Catholic Cathedral of San Salvador, the Divine Providence Hospital and Mons. Romero House, as well as the University of Central America.

The Commission extends its sincere thanks to Fr. Carlos Chavarria from San Benito Catholic Parish for assisting with the Commission’s meeting.

Three Commission members were unable to attend the meeting due to family and work commitments. Fr. Anthony Currer of the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle (UK), formerly of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity of the Holy See, substituted for Fr. Martin Browne OSB and acted as the Catholic co-secretary for the meeting.

The Commission is scheduled to meet next from 18-24 October 2026.

The Commission is made up of:

Methodist Members
Rev. Prof. Edgardo A. Colón–Emeric (Co-Chair), United States of America
Rev. Matthew A. Laferty (Co-Secretary), Methodist Ecumenical Office, Rome
Dr. Jung Choi, Korea/United States of America
Rev. Prof. Blanches de Paula, Brazil
Prof. Geordan Hammond, United Kingdom/United States of America
Rev. Prof. Glen O’Brien, Australia
Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, Malaysia
Prof. Lilian Cheelo Siwila, Zambia/South Africa

Catholic Members
Archbishop Shane Mackinlay (Co-Chair), Australia
Rev. Martin Browne OSB (Co-Secretary), Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome
Prof. Catherine E. Clifford, Canada
Rev. Prof. Gerard Kelly, Australia
Sr. Prof. Mary Sylvia Nwachukwu DDL, Nigeria
Rev. Prof. Daniel Franklin Pilario CM, Philippines
Rev. Prof. Jorge Scampini OP, Argentina
Dr. Clare Watkins, United Kingdom
Rev. Anthony Currer, United Kingdom (2022 and 2025 meetings)

Italian President Attends Roman Methodist Anniversary Celebration

September 22, 2025September 24, 2025meorome

ROME (MEOR) – The Via XX Settembre Methodist Church in Rome celebrated its 130th anniversary on Saturday, 20 September 2025, with a special anniversary program which included speeches, music, and testimonies. The President of the Republic of Italy H.E. Mr. Sergio Mattarella was among the special guests attending the anniversary program.

Rev. William Burt, superintendent of the Italian mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, inaugurated the Via XX Settembre Methodist Church on 20 September 1895 after two years of construction. The date was deliberately chosen for the inauguration as it was the 25th anniversary of the Breach of Porta Pia in 1870, leading to the capture of Rome by the Royal Italian Army and the city’s annexation into the newly-formed unified Italian state. As such, the capture of Rome realized religious freedom for all faith traditions and religions, including Methodists and other Protestant communities, present in the Italian capital.

The building originally housed a church, seminary with student accommodation, professors’ quarters, publishing house, and administrative offices. The Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church supported the construction of the building. Today, the building is home to the Via XX Settembre Methodist Church, the Korean Methodist Church of Rome, the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, the headquarters of the Methodist Churches in Italy and the central government of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches, and the offices of otto per mille for the Waldensian-Methodist Church.

Rev. Luca Anziani, Deacon Alessandra Trotta, and President Sergio Mattarella. Photo by quirinale.it

In remarks to the assembly, Rev. Luca Anziani, president of the Methodist Churches in Italy, said that Methodist churches in Italy have always “carefully combined the Gospel message with a passion for the birth of a united Italy in defense of freedom and democracy. Your presence today [addressing President Mattarella] thus takes on a very special meaning for us, and we wish to confirm that we will continue, together with other Protestant churches, to participate with passion and care in building the common good, where no one will ever be excluded.”

Rev. Mirella Manocchio, pastor of the Via XX Settembre Church, addressed the gathering, “it is no coincidence that it has been since September 20, 1895, twenty-five years after the Breach of Porta Pia. Every year, Roman Protestants remember with a worship of gratitude to the Lord the historic events of September 20, 1870, which marked the beginning of religious freedom in the capital and a crucial point in the history of relations between the Italian state, the Roman Catholic Church, and the religious minorities already present on Italian soil. And it will be a religious minority that will build the entire edifice we find ourselves in today.”

President Sergio Mattarella, in an spontaneous address, said, “the President of the Republic’s visits are always governed by precise protocol, and I wasn’t supposed to speak, but I decided to do so to thank you for your welcome and to offer my best wishes for the 130th anniversary of the founding of the Methodist Church of Rome. Above all, I want to thank you for the significant contribution you have made to the life of our Republic.”

Other speeches for the celebration included opening remarks from Deacon Alessandra Trotta, testimonials from the Italian-Filipino and Korean congregations, and short historical lectures on the history of Methodism in Italy. Church choirs also offered special music.

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, was also present as an invited guest.

Top photo: President Sergio Mattarella of Italy addressing the assembly of the 130th anniversary celebration. Photo by quirinale.it

Director Participates in Synod of Italian Methodist-Waldensian Church

August 29, 2025September 1, 2025meorome

ROME (MEOR) – The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, participated in the annual Synod of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches in Italy from 22-27 August 2025 in Torre Pellice, Italy. The Synod is the highest deliberative body of the church. Rev. Laferty by virtue of his directorship maintains ministerial standing in the Methodist-Waldensian Church and is a voting member of the Synod.

Among the opening acts of the Synod, the Synod received a telegram from Pope Leo XIV sent by the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Pope Leo wrote, “I assure you of my fervent remembrance in prayer so that all Christians may journey with sincerity of heart toward full communion, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and his Gospel.” He continued, “we are called to cooperate in the service of humanity, particularly in defending the dignity of the human person, in promoting justice and peace, and in providing common responses to the suffering that afflicts the most vulnerable.”

The Synod marked a special anniversary during its sessions – the 50th anniversary of the Pact of Integration between the Methodists and Waldensians. In 1975 the Evangelical Methodist Church in Italy and the Waldensian Evangelical Church entered into a new union relationship through integration, forming the Chiesa Evangelica Valdese (Unione delle chiese metodiste e valdese). The pact outlines a unique agreement on communion, collaboration, and sharing. Read more about the Pact of Integration.

The Synod heard reports from its various programmatic and administrative committees on a wide range of topics including ecumenical affairs, ministerial formation, diaconal service, and finance. The Synod approved over 40 million Euros in projects related to otto per mille and ordered a review of OPM priorities and review process.

In addition to its usual business, the Synod received a number of special guests and observers including the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Dean from the Methodist Church in Great Britain and the Rev. Dorothea Lorenz from The United Methodist Church in Germany.