ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 31, 2006
ELCA's 'Understanding the Roman Catholic Church' Available June 1
06-075-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Following centuries of mistrust and
indifference, Lutherans and Roman Catholics today are engaged in
formal dialogue and cooperating in a variety of ways and at many
levels. The June 1 issue of Mosaic Television, the video
magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
focuses on the Roman Catholic Church, its history and its basic
beliefs.
Mosaic Television is the quarterly video program produced by
ELCA Communication Services. It is intended for educational use
in a variety of congregational settings including Sunday school
classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups,
new member classes, congregational councils, committee and other
organizational meetings.
The purpose of the video is to help Lutherans and other
Protestants develop a better understanding of the Roman Catholic
Church, said Tim Frakes, Mosaic Television producer, ELCA
Communication Services. Told entirely by Roman Catholics, the 35-
minute program is organized into three parts: Roman Catholic
beliefs, church history and Catholic Renewal. Portions of the
program were recorded in Assisi, Casino, Rome and Trent, Italy,
Frakes said.
The program includes interviews with Roman Catholic
theologians, scholars, pastors and lay people.
"The most important thing is that we are brothers and
sisters in Christ," said the Rev. Robert Hoffman, St. John
Neumann Catholic Church, St.Charles, Ill., who was interviewed
for the program. "We need to cultivate that relationship and not
be fearful of one another but to really come with open hearts and
understanding."
"There was a turning point in 2000 when there was a real
rebirth, if you will, of spirituality in this country. A large
portion of that is Christian and specifically Catholic in nature.
We are just having a spiritual reawakening," said Dick Lyles, chief
executive officer, Relevant Radio, a radio network for U.S.
Catholics, Green Bay, Wis.
"I have great hope that with the development and growth of
the mutual approach to the search for Christian Unity, that many
of the barriers and perceptions with which we
continue to live can be broken down," said Bishop Brian Farrell,
secretary, the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian
Unity, Rome. "Then we can see how deeply united we are to one
another in our common baptism. The things that divide us, yes
they divide and have their negative effect on us, but they are
minimal compared with the enormous grace of God that brings us
together and unites us," he said.
"Understanding the Roman Catholic Church" can be viewed for
free on the ELCA Web site. It is also available in VHS and DVD
formats. Some ELCA colleges and universities feature Mosaic
Television on cable channels.
Each issue of Mosaic Television includes a user's guide with
a synopsis of each segment and discussion questions. Annual
subscriptions are available through ELCA Communication Services.
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Specific information about Mosaic Television
subscriptions and the content of each issue is available on the
Web at http://www.ELCA.org/mosaic or by contacting ELCA
Communication Services by phone at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 6009.
EDITORS: Digital photographs that accompany "Understanding the
Roman Catholic Church" can be requested by e-mail at
[log in to unmask] or by phone 1-800-638-3522, ext. 6009.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
