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2007-11-06 issue:

Mennonites and Catholics seek healing

Conference responds to the ‘Called Together to Be Peacemakers’ report.

by Oskar Wedel

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German Catholics and Mennonites assembled in Hamburg, Germany, Sept. 21-22 for a conference on “Healing of Memories.”



German Catholic Bishop Hans-Joachim Jaschke , left, and Bernhard Thiessen, pastor of the Mennonite church in Hamburg-Altona, at the close of the ecumenical worship service on Sept. 21.

Photo by James Jakob Fehr.

The conference was a joint response of the Association of Mennonite Congregations in Germany (AMG) and the Roman Catholic German Bishops Conference to the official report, “Called Together to Be Peacemakers,” on the 1998 to 2003 dialogue between representatives of Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Fernando Enns, Mennonite director of the Institute for Theology of the Peace Churches at Hamburg University, emphasized that it is the call of the gospel, not merely curiosity or subjective interest, that leads us to listen to one another. The healing of memories must take place at the congregational level; otherwise the whole church suffers, he said.

John Radano from the Pontifical Council said that we need to state differences openly, overcome conflicts and work toward unity “so that the world may believe.” Reconciliation with God includes reconciliation with each other, and this common spirit makes it possible for us to work together for peace, an essential component for unity among Christians, he added.

Andrea Lange, Mennonite member of the international Mennonite-Catholic dialogue, spoke candidly about her initial reservations: Was the invitation of the Vatican an attempt to get Mennonites to return to the Roman Catholic fold? She said she remains skeptical about the Catholic notion of the Eucharist as a sacrament, in strong contrast to the Mennonite concept and practice of the Lord’s supper, yet she sees engaging in a fearless examination of sacramental theology as desirable.

Lange also spoke of the importance of talking about what we mean by “making peace,” including love of our enemies. As disciples of Jesus, Christians must reject every form of institutionalized violence, she said.

Wolfgang Thönissen from the Institute for Ecumenical Studies in Paderborn spoke on the need for a visible unity of the church. Although Catholics still hold to the practice of baptizing infants and making them church members, they also wish to claim that faith and baptism are equally important and that the church is understood to be the community of “resolute believers.” Respect for the faith of other religious communities has also grown, he said.

Fernando Enns endorsed the step from “considering theology together” to “doing theology together.” The Catholic Church begins theological discussion with Holy Scripture, tradition and the church’s doctrinal authority, whereas Mennonites focus on examining and correcting life and practice in the light of Scripture, he said.

On Sept. 21, an ecumenical service was held in the Mennonite Church in Hamburg-Altona. Hans-Joachim Jaschke, who represented the German Council of Bishops, preached on a passage frequently cited as a favorite of Menno Simons: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

A delegation of Mennonites from 10 countries will participate in a church-to-church visit to Rome Oct. 18-23, hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The delegation will meet briefly with Pope Benedict—From a report by Oskar Wedel for Die Brücke, translated by James Jakob Fehr