Dialogue with Anders Cardinal Arborelius, OCD, and Bishop Karin Johannesson (Lutheran Church)
The Center for Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, sponsored a dialogue between two leading experts on ecumenism in Sweden. The event was held at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, DC. A recording of the event is available online.
Anders Cardinal Arborelius, OCD, is the bishop of Stockholm since 1998. He converted to Catholicism at the age of 20. Bishop Karin Johannesson is the bishop of the Diocese of Uppsala and a professor of religion at Uppsala University.
The event began with some words from Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, the president of the Catholic University of America. Although his field of study is engineering, Dr. Kilpatrick spoke of his personal devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Also present were a number of Catholic and Lutheran officials, particularly those with interest in and working on ecumenism between the two Churches.
Bishop Johannesson published a book on “receptive ecumenism” involving dialogues between Martin Luther and three Carmelites, St. Thérèse, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa of Avila. Dr. Johannesson became familiar with the Carmelites through reading books available at a local bookstore.
During the discussion, the Cardinal suggested that the rich tradition of publishing books on spirituality in Sweden has promoted the development of a deep spirituality in some of the people even if they are not church goers. Ecumenism, grounded in this spirituality, has been able to move forward. Bishop Johannesson found her own story, her own theology, her own spirituality coincided with that of Thérèse—particularly Thérèse’s idea that everything is grace. Grace is also fundamental to the life, theology, and spirituality of Martin Luther.
They discussed how the saints and mystics put flesh on dogmatic theology, This facilitates forward movement in the ecumenical dialogue. They stipulated that a unified, deeper approach to living faith together will enhance the ecumenical dialogue.
Shortly after 1 hour of the video, the audience is welcomed into the discussion with questions and comments
The conference can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3QW1WqcDFw
The Center for Carmelite Studies was established by the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary of the Carmelite Order in 2019. Its purpose is to ensure the future of serious study of Carmelite spirituality and history through academic classes, lectures, and other activities. It is anchored in the School of Theology and Religious Studies in the Catholic University of America. The website for the Center for Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America.
