Anabaptist–Reformed Conference confesses and forgives

Larry Miller, general secretary of Mennonite World Conference, speaks from the high pulpit of the Grossmunster as requested by Reformed leaders. Photo: John Sharp

On June 26, Christians from the Zwinglian Reform tradition and the Anabaptist global church offered confession and forgiveness over sins that separated them 500 years ago.

Some 400 people of the two traditions attended the event – the Reformed–Anabaptist Reconciliation Conference – in the Grossmunster and nearby at Limmat River in Zurich.

In 1525, from the pulpit in the Grossmunster, Ulrich Zwingli preached to Reformers against the radical Anabaptists. In 2004, Larry Miller, Executive Secretary of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) preached from Zwingli’s pulpit on “the new city,” based on Zechariah 2 and Matthew 5.

In 1527, Zurich authorities ordered the drowning of Felix Manz, one of the earliest Anabaptist leaders, in the Limmat River. In 2004, several hundred people crossed the bridge and gathered on the bank near the spot where Manz was drowned. A rowboat slipped along the river and in a dramatic move, the rowers snatched the cover from a new capstone on the wall.

The English translation of the inscription reads: “Here in the middle of the Limmat River from a fishing platform, Felix Manz and five other Anabaptists were drowned between 1527 and 1532 during the Reformation. The last Anabaptist executed in Zurich was Hans Landis in 1614.”

A boatman at the unveiling of the memorial plaque on the Limmat River.

Among the conference’s most moving moments were confessions and responses from representatives of each group. Reudi Reich, president of the Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich, asked for forgiveness for the persecution, torture and death inflicted on Anabaptists nearly five centuries ago “in a combined action by Church and State.”

Ernest Geiser, president of the Council of Elders of the Swiss Mennonite Church, said, “Descendents of the formerly persecuted Anabaptists among you no longer see themselves as victims . . . We accept your confession with a spirit of forgiveness.”

Zurich city councilor Robert Neukomm reviewed the history of Harold Bender’s unsuccessful 1952 attempt to erect a memorial to Manz. This year, he said, there were no dissenting votes.

The conference also included music and storytelling, reading of 16th century texts from both traditions, historical analysis, workshops, and a presentation of Anabaptists and Mennonites around the world today by Congolese Mennonite Brethren pastor Charly Lukala, Bolivian Mennonite Kathiana Sempertegui, and Larry Miller.

—from MWC release