wfn.org | Noko keeps to Joint Declaration despite Catholic reservations

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

GENEVA, 9 July 1998 (lwi) - Despite Roman Catholic reservations on points
of fundamental significance, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will
remain committed to its adoption of the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine
of Justification". "The necessary time must now be taken to clarify and
assess the implications of the Roman Catholic reply as far as the
ecumenical significance of the 'Joint Declaration' is concerned", Noko
emphasized at a meeting with journalists here June 25.

While Cardinal Edward Cassidy and Bishop Pierre Duprey of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity presented the "Response of the
Catholic Church to the Joint Declaration of the Catholic Church and the
Lutheran World Federation on the Doctrine of Justification" at a press
conference in Rome (see p. 3), the LWF almost at the same time called a
press conference at which the general secretary issued the following
statement:

       Statement by LWF General Secretary Ishmael Noko
                     Geneva, 25 June 1998
                               
"I have received the response of the Roman Catholic Church to the 'Joint
Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.' And I recognize in this
reply the affirmation that a high degree of agreement has been reached with
regard to justification.

"For the first time since the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church and
the Lutheran churches have responded at the highest international levels to
a commonly developed statement, i.e. the Joint Declaration.

"The authority of the LWF to speak in such a matter is based on its
ability, affirmed in its constitution, to represent the churches in such
matters as the churches assign to it. The process has been mandated by
several LWF Council decisions and a resolution of the Ninth Assembly in
1997. The Joint Declaration process has been conducted in close interaction
with the member churches, with which the fundamental teaching authority
resides according to Lutheran tradition.

"The doctrine of justification, which expresses the central aspects of our
faith, has been the subject of an arduous process of common study and
coordinated judgment between our two communions. The very affirmation of 'a
consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of justification' is a
significant step forward in the relations between our churches.

"At the same time, the Roman Catholic response, seen as a whole, raises
fundamental questions for our understanding of the official position
adopted by the Roman Catholic Church to the agreements formulated in the
Joint Declaration.

"The necessary time must now be taken to clarify and assess the
implications of the Roman Catholic reply as far as the ecumenical
significance of the Joint Declaration is concerned.

"The Lutheran World Federation has declared on the basis of the agreements
presented in the Joint Declaration that the doctrinal condemnations in the
Lutheran confessional writings regarding justification do not apply to the
teaching of the Roman Catholic Church as presented in the Joint
Declaration.

"I recognize in the Roman Catholic reply that reservations are made on
essential points, whereby the basis becomes unclear for jointly declaring
that the mutual condemnations from the time of the Reformation no longer
apply. It is my hope, nevertheless, that clarification on these essential
points might be reached in the time to come so that the full intention of
the Joint Declaration might be accomplished.

"Even if the Joint Declaration itself states that there are remaining
issues which require further clarification, and in spite of the fact that
the Roman Catholic Church has expressed reservations on points of
fundamental significance, the Lutheran World Federation remains committed
to the resolution it has adopted to the Joint Declaration and to continued
joint efforts in seeking a more extensive common understanding of the
gospel.

"In keeping with the resolution adopted by the LWF Council a week ago, I
shall consult with the LWF President and the Executive Committee to
determine, in coordination with the Roman Catholic Church, how the Joint
Declaration process can be appropriately concluded."

*       *       *
Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/