Bishop John Sherrington attended the Methodist Conference held in Birmingham on the evening of Tuesday 27th June. He presented a greeting from Cardinal Vincent Nichols which was warmly welcomed, and was asked to lead evening prayers. In his greeting the Cardinal reassured attendees of his prayers and expressed his gratitude for the dialogue that Catholics and Methodists share in Britain: ‘I know that the theological discussions which form such an important part of our dialogue, alongside the opportunities for prayer together, help us to seek the Unity for which Christ Our Lord prayed on the night before his passion and death.’
Bishop John, former Co-Chair of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church, spoke movingly of the opening of the eleventh dialogue in 2017 which was held in Rome. That meeting opened with an audience granted by Pope Francis to the World Methodist Council and members of the Commission. Both Pope Francis and Bishop Ivan Abrahams, WMC General Secretary, recognised that, after fifty years, we are no longer strangers, but brothers and sisters committed to the journey of walking together towards unity. Members of the Joint Commission then descended to the tomb of St Peter through the Roman scavi (the caves and the Roman necropolis) and prayed the 'Our Father' at that holy place. Two traditions united in the prayer of Jesus at the tomb of St Peter.
In an evening 'fringe' session of the 2017 Conference, Bishop John and Rev Dr David Chapman, former Methodist Co-Chair, presented the report entitled, God in Christ Reconciling: On the Way to Full Communion in Faith, Sacraments and Mission. They outlined the structure and content of the report which begins with a reflection on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the two sons, to emphasise that, 'The focus of the story is the father's overflowing love, expressed in mercy and generosity towards his sons, rather than the spendthrift behaviour of the younger son.' As the final document states, 'The parable helps us understand that reconciliation is principally a gift of the heavenly Father, who is 'rich in mercy' and always ready to forgive.
The document, in five chapters concluding with a Liturgy of Reconciliation for ecumenical meetings, focuses on God's reconciling work in Christ, structures of holding unity for Catholics and Methodists, rites and practices of reconciliation, the continuing work of God's reconciliation in the world, and a summary of learning and further questions. We recognise that whilst more work is needed to reflect on theological challenges of structure and sacramental practices, common prayer and witness is an imperative for all Christians.
Bishop John commented that he had listened to the way in which Methodists have a much richer understanding of rites and practices of reconciliation than he had first thought. David Chapman spoke of Methodist learning about the role of the papacy in holding unity in the Church and recognition of the many ways in which the Pope can speak with conviction and authority on behalf of all Christians. A rich discussion followed.
The report is available on the website of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
Photo (l-r): Rev Dr David Chapman, current Co-Chair of British Methodist Catholic Dialogue Rev Leo Osborn, and Bishop John Sherrington
