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.
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome 