August 25, 2005

GENEVA – "The memories of the persecution and the killings of Anabaptists in large numbers so many hundreds of years back, are still very fresh and painful among Anabaptists/Mennonites today. Seeing church historians bring these issues to the fore emphasizes the importance of the work we have begun." These remarks by Rev. Sven Oppegaard, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs, pointed to the significance of the work of a study commission recently established between Lutherans and Mennonites.

The mandate of the Lutheran – Mennonite International Study Commission which held its first meeting 27 June – 1 July 2005, in Strasbourg, France, is to consider the condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessional writings and their applicability to the teaching of Anabaptists/Mennonites today. Wider issues pertinent to the Lutheran-Mennonite relations will also be included.

Oppegaard noted that this first meeting established a framework for study and discussion that is very hopeful for the years to come. Although the commission is not "a communion-seeking dialogue commission," he said, "it would certainly bring Lutherans and Mennonites closer," he added. Through its deliberations, the Commission became more deeply sensitive to the lasting memory of the suffering of Anabaptists at the time of the Reformation as a result of persecution by civil authorities in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed areas, a communiqué from this first meeting stated.

The commission pointed out that Christians of all confessions were victims of persecution during the sixteenth century reformation period. "Reflection on this matter raises serious questions concerning the theological rationale for pursuing religious and social goals by violent means, including torture and killing," the communiqué stated.

At national level Lutheran-Mennonite dialogues have already been conducted in France (1981-1984), Germany (1989-1992), and the United States of America (2001-2004). To a certain extent these dialogues also considered the condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessions, and their outcomes constitute an important resource for the present, international commission.

The study commission's work is expected to take at least three years, and it is hoped that an official declaration concerning the condemnations can be made by the governing bodies of the two world communions.

Sponsored jointly by the LWF and the Mennonite World Conference (MWC), the Lutheran – Mennonite International Study Commission is co-chaired by Rev. Rainer Burkart (Mennonite, Germany) and Prof. Gottfried Seebass (Lutheran, Germany).

Mennonite participants include also Prof. Claude Baecher (France); Ms Hellen Biseko Bradburn (Tanzania); and Prof. John Roth (USA). Lutheran participants also include Bishop Litsietsi M. Dube (Zimbabwe); Prof. Theo Dieter (Germany); Prof. Annie Noblesse-Rocher (France); and Prof. Timothy J. Wengert (USA). Oppegaard and MWC Executive Secretary, Dr Larry Miller serve as co-secretaries.

The next meeting of the Lutheran – Mennonite International Study Commission will take place in Strasbourg, France, 5 – 9 June 2006.

Lutheran World Information