The some 70 million members of the evangelical denomination known as the Methodists, scattered all over the world, commemorated the tercentenary of their founder, the traveling preacher John Wesley, on 17 June. Celebrations took place throughout England to mark the event. In Italy, the main commemoration will take place on Sunday 22 June in the English-speaking Methodist church in Piazza Sant’Angelo in Rome, when Cardinal Walter Kasper will give a sermon within a Methodist liturgy led by the pastor of the Roman community, Piet Bouman. Also present will by the moderator of the Waldensian community, Gianni Genre. Founded in England 250 year ago, thanks to the evangelizing zeal of John Wesley, the Methodist movement now represents one of the world’s largest evangelical churches, especially in South America, Africa and Asia. The Methodists are active members of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
