Pope lauds Methodist Church leaders’ commitment to continuing theological dialogue

Vatican City – The Pope Benedict XVI has lauded the efforts of the Methodist Church leaders in bridging the gap between the Catholics and Methodists and has urged them to reflect upon their “friendly relations” and continue the “patient and persevering dialogue.”

A top–level delegation of the World Methodist Council (WMC) recently met the Pope Benedict XVI and his aides in the Holy See "to renew the commitment and further relations with the Catholic Church" and "to continue with theological dialogue," the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said in a communiqué.

The dialogue, started in 1967 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, takes place through the Catholic–Methodist Mixed International Commission and has treated major theological themes such as revelation and faith, tradition and teaching authority in the Church.

At the December 9 meeting, the Pope thanked the Methodists for representing their Church during the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the inauguration his pontificate.

According to the pontiff, the dialogues have been “candid” in addressing areas of difference. The dialogues and the “many ways in which Catholics and Methodists have become better acquainted” have helped them recognize “Christian treasures of great value,” he said.

Such recognition “has enabled us to speak with a common voice in addressing social and ethical questions in an increasingly secularized world,” the Pope added, expressing his appreciation for the initiatives taken to bring the “member churches of the World Methodist Council into association with the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, signed by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation in 1999."

This, he said, will "assist in contributing to the healing and reconciliation we ardently desire, and would be a significant step towards the stated goal of full visible unity in faith."

The delegation is being led by the Methodist Council's president, Bishop Sunday Mbang of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and includes the secretary–general, the Reverend George Freeman of the United States.

Catholic Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville, Australia, a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and co–president of the official Catholic–Methodist theological dialogue is accompanying the delegation in its visit to Rome.

The visit will end on December 17, after a private audience with Benedict XVI.

The Methodist communions affiliated to the WMC have individually approved the text of the Declaration, which will be officially voted and approved in Seoul, South Korea, in July 2006, during the WMC general assembly.

The World Methodist Council embraces 76 Methodist communions and meets in general assembly every five years.