wfn.org | New Round in U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Opens

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 15, 2005

New Round in U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Opens 05-239-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Focusing on the theme, "The Hope for
Eternal Life," a new round of the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue
began here, 40 years after the first talks between the two religious
traditions began.  More than 20 Lutheran and Roman Catholic leaders and
theologians participated in the first meeting of Round XI at the Cenacle
Conference and Retreat Center here Dec. 1-4.
     Co-chairing the dialogue in this round are the Rev. Lowell
G. Almen, secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
and the Most Rev. Richard J. Sklba, auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
     The topics the round addresses include Lutheran-Roman
Catholic differences over issues relating to the Christian's life beyond
death, including issues such as purgatory, indulgences, and masses and
prayers for the dead.  Interest in dealing with "The Hope for Eternal
Life" was related to the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine
of Justification (JDDJ) in 1999, Almen said.  Questions in this round
will address some topics identified in the development and completion
of the JDDJ, he said.
     The JDDJ was signed by leaders of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) and The Vatican in Augsburg, Germany, on Oct.  31, 1999.
With the JDDJ the LWF and the Vatican agreed to a basic understanding
of the doctrine of justification and declared that certain 16th century
condemnations of each other no longer apply.
     During a May 2004 visit to the Vatican, Sklba said Cardinal
Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity, was interested in the question of church authority but also "was
eager to see a review of this issue of eschatology" and whether issues
dating back to the 16th century could be seen in a "new light."
     Dialogue leaders are also aware that leaders of the LWF and
the Vatican are talking about the possibility of joint events and
observances leading up to 2017, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's
posting of the 95 theses, which started the Protestant Reformation.  Also,
the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II document, "Dogmatic Constitution
on Divine Revelation," is in 2015. One idea that has been suggested is
that there be observances over a period of two years leading up to 2017,
Almen noted.
     "Further work on these topics in relation to whatever plans
might emerge for 2017 for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran
Reformation all seemed very timely," Almen said.
     The opening meeting included presentation of papers and
discussion on a variety of topics such as the Council of Trent, Lutheran
Confessions on the hope for eternal life, biblical overviews, indulgences,
and Lutheran and Roman Catholic funeral rites.
     "The particular round really does speak about those matters
that are so close to the way people live," said the Rev. Arthur Kennedy,
executive director, ecumenical and interreligious affairs, U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.
     "One of the things that I think is most important about this
particular theme is that it's talking about being in the presence of God,"
Kennedy said.  The theme of the current round of dialogue can give people
"God's gift of hope," he said.
     "This is hope not just for Lutherans and Catholics.  This is
hope for other Christians, all working together," he said.
     Sklba said a particular interest of his is to make sure "our
own Catholic practices do reflect the JDDJ."  Almen agreed, saying that
it is an issue for both churches.
     It may take years to complete discussions on the issues in
this round of dialogue, Sklba said.  "I do think if it's going to be
substantial it will take some time," he said.
     For Lutherans and Roman Catholics, especially in families
where there are members of both churches, the subject of the dialogue
is personal, Almen said.
     "With varied religious backgrounds of people in the
household, the hope of greater mutual understanding is one that touches
their lives. For some, the differences are experienced in personal ways
Sunday after Sunday," he said.  "They go to separate places of worship,
or when one goes with the other, they are separated at the table (of
Holy Communion)."
     "No matter how intense our efforts, the journey is going to
be one that extends far beyond our lifetimes.  In our lifetimes we have
an opportunity in some way to search for that future that we believe is
also the desire of God, namely the future of reconciliation," Almen said.
     The dialogue's desired goal is "pulpit and altar fellowship,
full communion," recognizing that the ELCA, Lutheran Church- Missouri
Synod and Roman Catholic Church "have different criteria for when it will
be possible to recognize that goal as having been achieved," according
to a protocol for the participating churches.  The dialogue also builds
on Round X of the U.S.  dialogue and the international dialogue, which
has concluded Round IV.
     Round X of the U.S. dialogue concluded in April 2004, with
ELCA-Roman Catholic approval of "The Church as Koinonia of Salvation:
Its Structures and Ministries," a 69-page document.
     In addition to leaders and theologians from the ELCA and
Roman Catholic Church, this round of dialogue includes two participants
from the LCMS.  Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director, LCMS Commission
on Theology and Church Relations, St.  Louis, and Dr. Dean Wenthe,
president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., were
appointed by the Rev. Gerald B.  Kieschnick, LCMS president.  The LCMS
has had participants in nine of the 10 previous rounds of the dialogue.
     The next meeting is planned for April 20-23, 2006, in
Phoenix.

     In addition to Almen, ELCA representatives to the dialogue
are: + The Rev. Theodore W. Asta, associate to the bishop, ELCA New
England Synod, Worcester, Mass.  + The Rev. Stephen J. Hultgren, assistant
professor, Department of Theology, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.  + The
Rev. Randall R. Lee, executive director and assistant to the bishop, ELCA
Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs, Chicago + Dr. Lois E. Malcolm,
associate professor of systematic theology, Luther Seminary, St. Paul,
Minn.  + The Rev. Marcus J. Miller, bishop, ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod,
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio + The Rev. Winston D. Persaud, Wartburg Theological
Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa + The Rev. John H. P. Reumann, emeritus professor
of New Testament and Greek, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
+ Dr. Michael J. Root, professor of systematic theology and dean, Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.  + The Rev. Paul A. Schreck,
associate for bilateral dialogues, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious
Affairs, and executive assistant, ELCA Office of the Secretary, Chicago

     In addition to Kennedy and Sklba, Roman Catholic
representatives to the dialogue are: + The Rev. Joseph A. Fitzmyer,
S.J., Jesuit community, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.  +
Dr. Margaret O'Gara, faculty of theology, University of St.  Michael's
College, Toronto + The Rev. George H. Tavard, A.A., emeritus professor
of theology, Brighton, Mass.  + Dr. Christian David Washburn, lecturer,
systematic theology, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Drexel Hill, Pa.  +
The Rev. Jared Wicks, S.J., Jesuit community, John Carroll University,
University Heights, Ohio + Dr. Susan K. Wood, S.C.L., Department of
Theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee ---
     Information about the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue
is at http://tinyurl.com/baxgg on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or
news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news