LUTHERAN, MENNONITE, CATHOLIC TRILATERAL DIALOGUE 

COMMUNIQUÉ

Rome, Italy, 9-13 December, 2012

The first meeting of a new Catholic – Lutheran – Mennonite International Trilateral Dialogue on the topic of baptism was held in Rome from 9-13 December 2012. This meeting was hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), and warm welcome was extended by Cardinal Kurt Koch and Bishop Brian Farrell of the PCPCU. The PCPCU and the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) engaged in a previous round of international conversations from 1998 to 2003. The dialogue resulted in a report entitled “Called Together to be Peacemakers.” The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the MWC engaged previously in a four year dialogue (2005-2008) and presented as the outcome a common document entitled “Healing of Memories: Reconciling in Christ.” The PCPCU and the LWF have engaged in eleven rounds of international dialogue, with the current round focusing on “Baptism and Growth in Communion.” The overall theme of this international trilateral dialogue as formulated in this meeting is “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church.” This innovative trilateral forum will allow the dialogue to take up questions surrounding the theology and practice of baptism in the respective communions. The LWF team is chaired by Dr. Friederike Nűssel (Germany). She was unable to attend this year’s meeting and was represented by Dr. Turid Karlsen Seim (Italy/Norway). Members include Bishop Musawenkosi Biyela (South Africa), Dr. Theodor Dieter (France/Germany), Rev. Kwong-Sang Peter Li (Hong Kong) and Co-Secretary Rev. Kaisamari Hintikka (Switzerland/Finland). The MWC team is chaired by Dr. Alfred Neufeld (Paraguay). Members include Drs. Fernando Enns (Germany/Netherlands), John Rempel (Canada) and Rev. Rebecca Osiro (Kenya) and Co-Secretary Rev. Larry Miller (France). Rev. César García, MWC General Secretary (Colombia), was an Observer in 2012. The PCPCU team is chaired by Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga, I.M.C. (Colombia). Members include Revs. William Henn, ofm cap. (Italy/USA), Luis M. Melo, S.M. (Vatican/Canada), and Sr. Marie-Hélène Robert, N.D.A. (France) and Co-Secretary Rev. Gregory J Fairbanks (Vatican/USA). Summary presentations of past dialogues on baptism were presented by Dr. Fernando Enns for the MWC, Revs. William Henn for the PCPCU, and Kaisamari Hintikka for the LWF. Principal papers on the introduction to the Understanding and Practice of Baptism were delivered by Drs. Alfred Neufeld and John Rempel for the MWC, Rev. Luis M. Melo for the PCPCU, and Dr. Theodor Dieter for the LWF. The group will convene for its second round of these conversations in January, 2014 to study “Baptism: God’s Grace in Christ and Human Sin.” Future topics in following years will include “Baptism: Communicating Grace and Faith” and “Living Out Baptism.