Pope Francis meets Methodist-Catholic Dialogue Commission
Pope Francis received members of the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission (MERCIC) in a private audience on Wednesday 5th October. The commission, which began work in 1967 and has met since without interruption, is currently meeting in Rome at the Casa Maria Immaculata for the first plenary meeting of its twelth round of dialogue. The Catholic co-chair, Bishop Shane Mackinlay of the diocese of Sandhurst, introduced the commission and its current work which focusses on mission and synodality and particularly on the way that mission shapes the formualtion of doctrine. The Methodist co-chair, the Rev’d Prof. Edgardo Colon-Emeric, presented Pope Francis with the report of the eleventh round of dialogue, God in Christ Reconciling: On the Way to Full Communion in faith, Sacraments, and Mission, briefly explaining the main convergences of the document. Pope Francis responded by reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son underlining the report’s scriptural reflection that both Catholics and Methodists are “sons” who, by sin, have wandered from the Father’s house, and both need to return to the Father to find unity in faith and sacramental life.