Catholic Pentecostal International Dialogue in Portugal
The Catholic Pentecostal International Dialogue held its fourth meeting of the seventh phase of dialogue in Lisbon, Portugal, at the “Seminario Nossa Senhora de Fatima“ of the Dehonian Fathers, from 6-12 July.
Since its initiation in 1972, the first time in Portugal gave the occasion to experience a Sunday in Fatima, a major Catholic shrine, while discussing about “Sacramentality and Christian living”, on which two papers were presented as indicated in the press release.
At present, the Dialogue is co-sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU) and the Pentecostal World Fellowship’s Commission on Unity. It is co-chaired by Bishop Joseph Bambera, Diocese of Scranton, Philadelphia, USA, and Revd Cecil M. Robeck, Jr, Pasadena, California, USA, assisted by Revd David Cole (PCCNA) and Msgr Juan Usma (DPCU) as co-secretaries.
In the words of Bishop Bambera, the Catholic Co-Chair: “This year’s dialogue has once again affirmed what Pope Francis noted in reflecting upon the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, ‘Jesus Christ is the heart of ecumenism … and our mission is to bear witness to him.’ Our discussions, while candid and probing, reflect a depth of mutual respect, understanding and fellowship that emerges from shared faith in Jesus. These days continue to be a blessing to us all as we journey together as brothers and sisters in the Lord.”
Participants will prepare a draft of the Final Report to be discussed in 2025. The last meeting of the Dialogue was in Ghana in July 2023.