Lutheran World Federation agrees to dialogue with Roman Catholics and Mennonites

Geneva, June 17 (ENInews)-- At a meeting in Geneva that concluded on 14
June, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council approved plans for
three-way talks that will include Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Mennonites.
Recommendations were made for the founding of a Trilateral Dialogue Commission
comprised of four representatives each from the LWF, the Vatican’s
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Mennonite World
Conference.

According to a news release, the Council asked general secretary Rev.
Martin Junge, in consultation with member churches, to identify and propose
names of Lutheran members to the Commission, taking into consideration gender
and regional representation as well as familiarity with the ecumenical
partners and the issues to be discussed. Junge was also asked to continue the
process of preparing for a Lutheran-Pentecostal International Commission and
report his progress at the next Council meeting.

The Council re-affirmed the strong commitment of the LWF to the work being
conducted by the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France.

Other topics covered at the meeting included world service; international
affairs and human rights; communications; mission and development;
membership; and finances. 

Next year’s Council meeting will take place from 14-20 June in Geneva,
Switzerland, pending discussion with Swiss authorities on the denial of a visa
for Liberian delegate A. Elijah Zina. Other locations will be considered
if the discussions are unsatisfactory, Junge said.