Pope greets Mennonites: a first in church history

Nancy Heisey, MWC president, presents an image of Anabaptist martyr Dirk Willems to Benedict XVI. Willems was captured, tried, and convicted, but escaped from prison in 1569. In pursuit across a frozen pond, a guard broke through the ice and Willems turned back to rescue him. Willems was recaptured and soon burned at the stake. Photo: Servizio Fotograpfico de L’.O.R., Citta del Vaticano

The first ever Mennonite delegation to visit a Roman Catholic pope dominated the front page of Italian newspapers, Oct. 20.

In a briefing on how to greet Benedict XVI, a liaison said, “And when you kneel to kiss his ring . . .” which was interrupted by a member of the Mennonite delegation. “. . . So when you shake his hand,” continued the liaison.

The Mennonite World Conference (MWC) reported a positive meeting, which was the result of a five-year international dialogue with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity starting in 1998. The dialogue culminated in a 48-page report in 2003, “Called Together to Be Peacemakers.”

“Since it is Christ himself who calls us to seek Christian unity, it is entirely right and fitting that Mennonites and Catholics have entered into dialogue in order to understand the reasons for the conflict that arose between us in the 16th century. To understand is to take the first step towards healing,” said Benedict XVI, in his short address.

“We were so warmly welcomed it was almost overwhelming,” said Nancy Heisey, MWC president. Hosted by a cardinal, the representatives from five continental regions held conversations about church and baptism with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a powerful department that Benedict XVI, as Cardinal Ratzinger, headed for more than 20 years. Roman Catholics now accept adult baptism, but still ask, “Do Mennonites accept Catholic adult baptism?”

“My impression of the whole four days was that they have a high regard for our theology,” added Canadian delegate Ron Penner, from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

“They see us as leading Christian bearers of the message of peacemaking and nonviolence, which is at the heart of the gospel,” said Larry Miller, MWC general secretary.

The MWC delegation also held conversations with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

“Although I have been critical toward this dialogue,” said MB Latin American representative Victor Wall, “I consider the process to be helpful and meaningful. I find myself to be cautious, but affirmatively supportive.” A better mutual understanding and a move away from considering the Mennonite church a sect “is very important in strong Roman Catholic settings like Latin America or Southern Europe,” said Wall.

—MWC release

For more information

• Read the full report of the international dialogue between the Catholic Church and Mennonite World Conference, Called Together to be Peacemakers.
• Reflections from Harold Jantz, “What I learned from my 7-year Mennonite–Catholic dialogue”.