methodists

Methodists advocate for unity with new pope

A UMNS Report | By Linda Bloom* Several Methodist leaders are hopeful that the new Roman Catholic pope, Benedict XVI, will support efforts toward Christian unity. German-born Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected April 19 as the 265th pope to lead the billion-member Roman Catholic Church. Since 1981, he had served as second-in-command to Pope John Paul II, who died April 2. The Rev. Geoffrey Wainw... »

Methodists may accept pope’s offer to join

Methodist leaders said they plan to accept an invitation from Pope Benedict XVI to join a 1999 statement between Catholics and Lutherans that overcame centuries of division on the nature of salvation. Bishop Sunday Mbang of Nigeria, president of the World Methodist Council, said he expects the Joint Declaration to be ratified when the Methodists meet next summer in Seoul, South Korea. “We are expe... »