The LWF Council in 2008 agreed to explore whether Lutherans might apologize for their ancestors’ actions against Anabaptists, whom the Mennonites regard as their predecessors. This included the question of whether condemnations of Anabaptists still apply today.

The LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart in 2010 asked Mennonites for forgiveness. The “Mennonite Action” at this Assembly included several commitments for further action.

• Dialogue body | LWF Task Force on Mennonite Action

• Report of the LWF task force on Mennonite relations | Bearing Fruit: Implications of the 2010 Reconciliation between Lutherans and Mennonites/Anabaptists

Key Questions

• What is the meaning of the 16th century Lutheran confessional writings in a 21st century context? How should they be interpreted today - especially those which express the historical hostility towards Anabaptists?
• What is the background of the historical intolerance towards Anabaptists? How can mutual reconciliation be achieved and implemented in light of teachings about Mennonites, especially in confessional writings?

Activities

2014 | Reconciliation process continues, including involving seminaries and theological faculties about the outcomes of the dialogue

Dialogue milestones

• 2008 - The LWF Council agrees to explore whether Lutherans might apologize for their ancestors’ actions against Anabaptists, whom the Mennonites regard as their predecessors
• 2010 - LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart asks Mennonites for forgiveness and commits itself to look at ways of implementing a reconciliation process
• 2010 - LWF Task Force on “Mennonite Action” is formed
• 2010 - LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart asks Mennonites for forgiveness and commits itself to look at ways of implementing a reconciliation process (Report of the Lutheran–Mennonite International Study Commission)
• 2012 - LWF Task Force holds first meeting in Tutzing, Germany