wfn.org | [LCMS] Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue

["LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>]

	 <http://www.lcms.org>
e-News
	LCMS News

	PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL MESSAGE! This message comes
from a "Send Only" Mailbox that does not recognize replies.

	December 2, 2005 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 74

	Synod rejoins Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue

	Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick says he is pleased that The
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, which participated in the first nine
rounds of dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the United
States, was invited to send two participants to Round XI of the
discussions, which began with a Dec. 1-4 session in Chicago.

	Kieschnick appointed LCMS Commission on Theology and Church
Relations Executive Director Samuel H. Nafzger and Dr. Dean O. Wenthe,
president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, as the Synod's
two participants in that round.

	Beginning in 1965, the Synod was a full participant in the first
nine rounds of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue, but was not invited
to join the tenth round, which began in 1996. Dr. A.L. Barry, the
Synod's president at the time, expressed regret over that situation, and
appointed Dr. Charles Arand of the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
faculty as the LCMS observer to that round of the talks.

	"Lutherans have traditionally believed that external unity in
the church must be based on doctrinal agreement on the basis of the Holy
Scriptures," Kieschnick said. "The LCMS is committed to face-to-face
dialogue with those Christian churches with whom doctrinal disagreement
continues to exist, including the Roman Catholic Church.

	"It is therefore good," he said, "that participants from the
Synod can be a part of these important talks with this church, which
comprises the largest group of Christians in the United States of
America and the world."

	Kieschnick said that with his appointment of Nafzger and Wenthe
to the dialogue, he is "confident that the scriptural, confessional, and
evangelical positions of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod will be
clearly and unapologetically articulated. This is particularly vital as
it pertains to 'The Hope of Eternal Life,' the topic to be discussed in
this round of discussions."

	Kieschnick said that dialogue on that topic "will provide
opportunity to discuss such issues as indulgences and purgatory, which
remain among the most critical points of disagreement between Lutherans
and Roman Catholics.

	"I encourage the members of the Synod to keep this process and
its participants in prayer," Kieschnick concluded.

	Other Lutheran participants in the dialogue are from the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

	***************************************

	  This Edition of "LCMS News" e-News is provided by:

	Board for Communication Services, Division of News and
Information
Contact Editor
<http://www.lcms.org/enews/contact_editor.asp?title=LCMS%20News&editorid
=6>


		To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this Newsletter and
many others, please visit LCMS e-News <http://www.lcms.org/enews> .
		Share this Newsletter
<http://www.lcms.org/enews/forward.asp?m=3406>  with a friend.

MessageId=3406 UserId=10073
  _____

Design © Copyright 2002 - 2005 The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
<http://www.lcms.org>
No reproduction without consent. All rights reserved.