MERCIC Plenary Meeting takes place in San Salvador

The Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission (MERCIC) held its annual plenary meeting in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, from 19 to 24 October 2025. This was the fourth annual meeting in the twelfth round of MERCIC’s dialogue, which is focused on the theme of diversity, unity and communion for mission.

A draft report was reviewed by the Commission exploring models of discernment of the essentials of the Christian faith, the meaning and practice of unity and diversity in Methodist and Catholic churches, and the necessity of communion for the mission of the church. The draft report also included a chapter with concrete recommendations to Catholic and Methodist leaders to further deepen the communion already shared by Methodists and Catholics. The Commission expects to finalize the report by the end of 2026.

The members of the Commission were welcomed by Fr Carlos Chavarria and the people of the Catholic parish of San Benito, and by Bishop Juan de Dios Peña and the people of the Vida Nueva Methodist Church. They also visited the site of the martyrdom of St Oscar Romero and his tomb, as well as the University of Central America.

Following the meeting, the Commission issued a Communiqué.

Attending the meeting were:

Methodist members

• Revd Prof. Edgardo A. Colón–Emeric (Co-Chair), United States of America
• Revd Matthew A. Laferty (Co-Secretary), Methodist Ecumenical Office, Rome
• Dr Jung Choi, Korea/United States of America
• Prof. Geordan Hammond, United States of America
• Revd Prof. Glen O’Brien, Australia
• Revd Dr Hermen Shastri, Malaysia

Catholic members

• Archbishop Shane Mackinlay (Co-Chair), Australia
• Revd Anthony Currer (Acting Co-Secretary), United Kingdom
• Prof. Catherine E. Clifford, Canada
• Revd Prof. Gerard Kelly, Australia
• Sr Prof. Mary Sylvia Nwachukwu DDL, Nigeria
• Revd Prof. Daniel Franklin Pilario CM, Philippines
• Revd Prof. Jorge Scampini OP, Argentina
• Dr Clare Watkins, United Kingdom