Category Archives: Blog

BLOG – Rev. Laferty Represents Methodists at Funeral for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, attended the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, representing the World Methodist Council. Rev. Laferty joined leaders from other Christian churches in paying their respects to the former Roman pontiff at the funeral on St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City State on 5 […]
Read More »

BLOG – Communique from Methodist-Catholic Commission Plenary, October 2022

The Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission (MERCIC) met at the Casa Maria Immacolata, Rome, from 2nd-8th October 2022 for the first plenary meeting of a new round of dialogue. The Commission has met without interruption since its foundation in 1967 and now begins its twelfth round on the theme of unity and mission. The gathering was hosted […]
Read More »

BLOG – Private Audience with Pope Francis

Audience of Pope Franciswith the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission5 October 2022 Summary: 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 […]
Read More »

BLOG – MEOR Annual Report 2021-2022

The 2021-2022 annual report of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome is now available online. The report can be downloaded (6.8 MB) below.

BLOG – MEOR Director Participates in Opening of Synod on Synodality

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, was one of three fraternal delegates (i.e., delegates from non-Catholic churches) to participate in the opening of the Synod of Bishops on 9-10 October in the Vatican City State. In this historic moment, Pope Francis is leading an intentional, worldwide effort to reshape […]
Read More »

BLOG – Dialogue as a Tool of Unity

The Feast of Peter and Paul on June 29th is a major affair here in Rome. Both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome, and their tombs remain to this day important pilgrimage sites. Many representations and icons of the two saints exist, but the Eastern Orthodox icon of Peter and Paul meeting and holding […]
Read More »

VIDEO – History of the International Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue from 1967-2006 by Ms. Gillian Kingston from the Methodist Church in Ireland

Matthew A. Laferty organized a lecture by Mrs. Gillian Kingston, a laywoman from the Methodist Church in Ireland and the vice president of the World Methodist Council, on 23 March 2021. She presented on the history of the international Methodist-Catholic bilateral dialogue from 1967 to 2006 in a webinar entitled, “From Denver to Dublin, from […]
Read More »

VIDEO: ‘Bringing Voices Together’ – A Prayer Vigil for Christian Unity

The Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, Centro Pro Unione, and Anglican Centre in Rome held a prayer vigil for Christian unity on Sunday, 17 January 2021 at the Chapel of St. Augustine of Canterbury in the Anglican Centre in Rome. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and representative of the World Methodist […]
Read More »

PODCAST: Season 1 of ‘Intentionally International’

In January 2020, I started a podcast called ‘Intentionally International’ with my friend and colleague Anitra Kitts who lives in Munich. Together Anitra and I explore the gifts, challenges, and quirks of English-speaking congregations in non-English-speaking countries. In our first season which was released (mostly) in November and December 2020, we explore what it means […]
Read More »

VIDEO: MEOR Intro Webinar on International Methodist-Catholic Dialogue on the Theme of Reconciliation

On 10 December 2020, Bishop John Sherrington and the Reverend Dr. David Chapman spoke about the international Methodist-Catholic bilateral dialogue and its recent discussions on the theme of reconciliation. The Reverend Matthew A. Laferty moderated the conversation.