The Waldensian Methodist Church of Italy has announced that the date is set and the program is organized for Pope Francis to make an official visit to the Waldensian Temple of Turin. There he will meet with the world’s oldest reformed community. No pope has ever crossed the threshold of a Waldensian temple.
The historic meeting on June 22, 2015 is hailed by the Waldensian Church as “a gesture of brotherhood in a new ecumenical season.” Pope Francis will visit the Shroud of Turin on the 200th anniversary of the birth of so-called St. John Bosco.
“It will be a meeting with sober and ecumenical brotherhood that in the last two years we have seen grow and strengthen,” said the moderator of the Waldensian Board, Eugenio Bernardini. “Sobriety and fraternity… are typical of the Waldensian tradition but also the style of this pope who, on several occasions, has created a climate of mutual attention, thus opening a new ecumenical season.”
For his part, the Pope has also repeatedly expressed words of friendship and appreciation for the Waldensian Church and briefly met Bernardini in September of 2013. That meeting, “with words and gestures much appreciated,” led to the upcoming temple visit.
The Waldensian Temple in Turin was the first temple build outside the Waldensian Valleys after the emancipation granted to them by King Carlos Alberto in 1848. To the Waldensian church the temple symbolizes leaving behind the era of persecution and entering on the path of freedom.
The pope knows the Waldensian Church because there are communities of them in Argentina and Uruguay. Perhaps it should also be pointed out that Pope Francis’ ancestors came from the region in Italy along the Po river valley where the ancient Waldenses lived before their persecutions began, which caused them to move into the mountain area west of Turin. What other churches might Francis have in mind for ecumenical rapprochement? And what contacts might have already been made with them?
“And all the world wondered…” Revelation 13:3
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Comments
Melba Richards
Tuesday April 21st, 2015 at 11:29 AMThis is a sad day! The Pope may appoligize for the Catholic’s slaughter of thousands of them in the past, but tha doctrines of the Catholic Church have not changed, therefore he is not really sorry at all.
Anthony Burns
Wednesday April 22nd, 2015 at 07:06 AMMatt. 24: 24, 25
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.
Bob Burnham
Sunday May 3rd, 2015 at 11:23 AMKey phrase: “IF it were possible…”
Elizabeth Theis
Monday April 27th, 2015 at 11:29 AMin the last days the very elect will be deceived.
Bob Burnham
Sunday May 3rd, 2015 at 08:53 AMThat’s not what the Scripture says, Elizabeth! It says “if it were possible they (the false Christs and false prophets) shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. It does NOT say that the very elect WILL be deceived! Obviously, if any are to be saved, they will not have been deceived. Please be more careful how you quote Scripture.
Bob Burnham
Sunday May 3rd, 2015 at 08:43 AM“The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties…….Let none deceive themselves.” The Great Controversy, p. 571
John
Saturday May 30th, 2015 at 07:45 PMIt is a sad day when the Vicar of Christ would consort with and legitimize heretical sects.
Costa
Wednesday June 3rd, 2015 at 08:56 AMThis is the true Catholic stand on this action by the Pope. There is only one true Church, the Roman Catholic one, all others are heretical sects and need to be overcome by any means available to them at the time.
Oscar Oudri
Wednesday June 17th, 2015 at 04:49 PMEl área del Río de la Plata estará representada por mi en este acto, donde también brindaremos un saludo. Gracias
Shelley
Sunday June 21st, 2015 at 08:13 PMIt’s true, the pope has relatives there, just saw it in the news today, June 21…. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-great-powers-did-nothing-to-prevent-holocaust/