The Joint Working Group (JWG) between the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) held a plenary meeting near Bari, Italy, from 5-11 May 2003. This was the fourth plenary meeting since the 1998 General Assembly of the World Council of Churches which set out the present mandate of the JWG under the leadership of two co-moderators, Archbishop Mario Conti (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland) and Bishop Jonas Jonson (Lutheran Bishop of Strangnas, Sweden).
The meeting was held at Oasi Santa Maria, a centre for spirituality located just outside the town of Cassano delle Murge. Archbishop Francesco Cacucci and the whole local church welcomed the JWG in the traditional spirit of the Bari region, renowned for its commitment to the ecumenical movement. An opening ecumenical prayer service was held in the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta at which the Archbishop presided, with testimonies presented by participants from local Orthodox, Waldensian, Baptist and Seventh Day Adventist Churches. After the service, the Mayor of Cassano delle Murge, Giuseppe Gentile, addressed the JWG and spoke of the unity of Christians as a necessary sign and encouragement to civil society for greater harmony and service to the common good.
Each day, morning and evening prayer were celebrated according to the varied traditions of the churches represented in the working group.
Much of the time of the meeting was given over to the discussion and detailed examination of draft texts related to three major areas under study by the JWG: The Ecclesiological Implications of Baptism; the Nature and Purpose of Ecumenical Dialogue; and Roman Catholic Participation in National and Regional Council of Churches. The various texts were introduced, discussed in working groups and later put to the plenary with recommendations. Much progress has been made in these studies and mature texts are anticipated for refinement at the next plenary, to be included in the report that JWG will make to the next Assembly of the WCC and the Holy See's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
A progress report was heard on the ways that the Churches are engaging and collaborating on the Decade to Overcome Violence and the JWG reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this important ecumenical initiative. The plenary also received updates on the matter of interchurch marriages. Rev. Dorino Angelillo from Caritas Puglia visited the Working Group and shared a comprehensive presentation on the situation related to refugees and immigrants in Italy in general and the region of Puglia in particular, highlighting the challenges that are before governments and churches as individuals and populations, of different cultures and religions, settle in the country. This was followed by a reflection given by Professor Franco Vaccari, the President of Rondine-Cittadella della Pace, who spoke of the development of peace initiatives, particularly involving young people from areas of conflict in the world.
A visit was made to the Dominican Patristic Institute of Bari which is a centre for ecumenical dialogue, research and learning, bringing together Christians principally from Catholic and Orthodox backgrounds. Bari has served as an important crossroads for Christians from Byzantine, Slavic, Latin and Armenian traditions for over 1000 years.
Members participated in the celebration of the translation of the relics of St. Nicholas at the waterfront in Bari. This Saint is popular and devotion to him is strong among Christians from both West and East. Members of the JWG visited the museum of the diocese and learned about the rich heritage of the Church. Among the visits, members of the JWG especially from the WCC were particularly impressed by the devotion to the saint and prompted a member to reflect on the importance of celebrating the Common of Martyrs and Saints in our liturgy.
The JWG carries on the process of dialogue that will help Christians from the different traditions to reach understanding on common issues and also continue the reflection where differences exist, done always in the spirit of truth and love.
By Sr. Theresa Seow, F.d.C.C.
