Cardinal Anders Arborelius, who has led the small Catholic community in Sweden since 1998, came to Washington, D.C., alongside Bishop Karin Johannesson, an assistant bishop in the Lutheran Archdiocese of Uppsala.
The two prelates, who share a devotion to Carmelite spirituality, took part in an ecumenical dialogue on the 19th-century St. Thérèse of Lisieux, held at the St. John Paul II National Shrine.
In separate NCR interviews after the event, Arborelius and Johannesson expressed hope that their collaboration might be a sign for how Christians of different denominations can work together. They also spoke about their expectations for Pope Francis’ upcoming Synod of Bishops, which will hold its first assembly in Rome next month.
“The synodal process is very exciting and an important development for the Catholic Church,” said Johannesson. Arborelius said he hoped the assembly would “help people to a more profound encounter with Christ and to follow him more faithfully and serve those in need.”
Following are NCR’s interviews with Arborelius and Johannesson, presented together and lightly edited for length and context.
Many Catholics are anticipating the first session of the Synod of Bishops in Rome this October. Cardinal, can you describe a bit what it has been like for the Swedish Catholic Church to prepare for the synod? Bishop, how has the Lutheran community in Sweden experienced the synod?
Are there items that either of you personally hope the synod might discuss?
Card. Arborelius: Evangelization in a post-Christian world is a most urgent subject. To help people to a more profound encounter with Christ and to follow him more faithfully and serve those in need.
Bp Johannesson: The synodal process is very exciting and an important development for the Catholic Church. The synod’s working document is very interesting, and I can recognize many issues that are common for all our churches. I really hope that the synod will take time to discuss how a synodal church can fulfill her mission through a renewed ecumenical commitment. We have so much in common and we have to cooperate for the mission of the church today. I also hope that the theology about “the priesthood of all believers” that is not unknown in Catholic theology but very dear for us Lutherans can be used in the synodal process.