Pope thanks God for talks, friendship between Catholics, Methodists

Published: 2005-12-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God must be thanked for the friendship and patient dialogue that have marked Catholic-Methodist relations in the 40 years since the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict XVI said. Meeting a six-member official delegation from the World Methodist Council Dec. 9, he said Pope Paul VI concluded Vatican II expressing his hope that the differences among Christians would be resolved "slowly, gradually, loyally and generously." The continuing Catholic-Methodist dialogue, he said, is demonstrating that Pope Paul's hopes were not in vain. "Since 1967 our dialogue has treated major theological themes such as revelation and faith, tradition, and teaching authority in the church," Pope Benedict said. "These efforts have been candid in addressing areas of difference," but they also have shown "a considerable degree of convergence."

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