Dialogue between Methodists, Waldensians and Pentecostals
 Dialogue between the Waldensian and Methodist churches and the Federation of Pentecostal Churches observed ten years of activity. “An important anniversary that is worth noting for its pioneer character – stressed Professor Paolo Ricca, coordinator of the Waldensian/Methodist Commission for Dialogue during a meeting held in Aversa (near Naples), in the “New Pentecost” church. - As far as I know there is no other situation in all of Europe in which so-called historical churches and Pentecostals meet together to discuss their respective theological positions”.
The first meeting was held in 1998 at Monteforte Irpino (Avellino) where qualified representatives from both parts took part, including the Moderator of the Tavola Valdese, at that time Gianni Rostan, and the leaders of the churches that in the year 2000 would unite into the Federation of Pentecostal Churches (FCP). From the start the dialogue consisted in a series of theological talks set up in three phases. The first, regarding that which Waldensians, Methodists and Baptists have in common and can affirm in a single voice, produced a document on faith in the Triune God. The second phase, heading toward its conclusion, regards that which differentiates the churches without dividing them; in this field a text on the interpretation of the Bible was published and a document on ecumenism is almost ready. The third phase will start shortly and regards themes such as baptism and ethics, in particular homosexuality and bioethics, on which the two parts have divergent positions. The task of the dialogue will be to define and evaluate the significance of these divergencies and understand if, on the judgement of the two commissions, they interfere or not with the substance of a common faith. “It is a challenging commitment – commented Ricca – that we carry out in a fraternal context and with the conviction that the charism of every particular church is for the good of all”.
The inspirator of this dialogue, for Waldensians and Methodists, has certainly been Professor Ricca. “My conviction is that the Pentecostal movement represents one of the major novelties of present day Christianity. It is a realtiy that is part of the origins of Christian tradition, started within Protestantism and that has gathered the essentials of the theological heritage of the Reform”. Therefore it was necessary that this dialogue get under way, above all in a context like that of Italy where Protestants live in a minority condition. “Through the years the awareness that the Pentecostal churches are part of a wider world than that strictly connected with its own denomination has grown – explained Pastor Carmine Napolitano, Secretary of the Commission for Pentecostal Dialogue and Dean of the Pentecostal Faculty of Religious Science of Aversa. - Thus we were ready to participate when the Waldensians and Methodists invited us to meet together”.
From press service NEV - Notizie evangeliche, 30 November 2008 |
