ELCA, Catholic leaders celebrate their Christian unity, continue dialogue

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA, Catholic leaders celebrate their Christian unity, continue dialogue
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>February 22, 2012  

ELCA, Catholic leaders celebrate their Christian unity, continue dialogue
12-08-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) - In gratitude for the "unity in Christ" between the
Catholic Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson shared with Pope Benedict XVI a
sense of urgency between Lutherans and Catholics in responding to
the "great needs of poverty and human care" in the world.

Hanson led a delegation of ELCA leaders to meet with Pope Benedict
and other Catholic Church leaders Feb. 14-16 at the Vatican. The ELCA and
its predecessor church bodies have been in active dialogue with the
Catholic Church since the 1960s.

In his greeting to Pope Benedict, Hanson said, "As Catholics and
Lutherans, we have a renewed commitment to unity in Christ.

"We recognize that there is urgency in our joining Catholics to
respond to the great needs of poverty and human care. Being stewards of
creation and working toward peace throughout the world are commitments
that Christians are able to share in daily life and in our ministries of
care," he said.

"With you, we pray for peace. As we see the suffering in Syria, in
Africa, and in the Middle East, we join your call for peace throughout
the world. As Lutherans, we share this call and commitment with you and
the leaders of the Abrahamic faiths. This time calls for Jews, Christians
and Muslims to deepen our understanding of one another and our resolve to
work together to build a world of peace with justice."

Hanson also shared his deep respect for Pope Benedict, his ministry
of oversight, and for the well-being of the Catholic Church. He also
asked that Pope Benedict and Catholic Church leaders remember in prayer
The Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America "as we promise to remember you in our petitions to our gracious
God."

The ELCA is the only U.S. Lutheran church in The Lutheran World
Federation, a global communion representing more than 70 million
Christians worldwide.

Accompanying Hanson in the delegation were the Rev. Jessica R.
Crist, chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops and bishop of the ELCA
Montana Synod; the Rev. Robert D. Hofstad, bishop of the ELCA
Southwestern Washington Synod; and the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, assistant
to the ELCA presiding bishop on ecumenical and inter-religious relations.

Together they met with several Catholic Church leaders
as "Christians in dialogue," said Hanson. "These engagements are signs of
a mature ecumenical relationship," he said.

In the United States, the ELCA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops have recently completed an eleventh round of dialogue. During
their meetings at the Vatican, the ELCA leaders presented "The Hope of
Eternal Life," a common statement from the eleventh round of dialogue,
to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity.

The common statement offers fresh insights into some issues that
proved contentious in the debates of the 16th century, such as the
communion of saints, prayers for or about the dead, the meaning of death,
purgation, the promise of the resurrection and more.

The current round of dialogue, "Ministries of Teaching: Sources,
Shapes and Essential Contents," will address through the lens of
Scripture areas of morality, ethics and theology, looking at the Bible as
an authoritative source for teaching ministries.

According to McCoid, members from the Council for Promoting
Christian Unity affirmed the dialogues and shared the importance
of "coming back to what we have in common. This will help us remember
what we have done and harvest the fruits toward unity."

McCoid said the ELCA delegation received an update on the dialogue
between The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church. A
statement on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is being developed.
Information about the Catholic Church's emphasis on the Year of Faith was
shared. It will include an ecumenical focus and accomplishments as the
50th anniversary of Vatican II is observed.

"Ecumenism is central to the ELCA's mission and identity," said
McCoid. "Our meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the depth of
mutual concerns, celebrate the round on 'The Hope of Eternal Life' and
affirmed the systematic approach in the current round on authority."

For Crist, ELCA members and Catholics have "come to a point where we
can celebrate our unity and talk about our differences and concerns in
the spirit of Christian unity."

In response to the meetings at the Vatican, Hofstad said he was
encouraged "both by our reception as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America representatives and by the affirmation on the part of Catholic
leaders that we must continue our joint ecumenical relationship."

During their time in Rome, ELCA leaders also met with Archbishop
Luis Ladaria, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith;
Monsignor Michael Crotty, from the Secretariate of State for questions
regarding the Near East; and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Information about the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue is available
on the ELCA's website.

>---

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with approximately 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church
of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God
through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the
world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church
reformer, Martin Luther.

>For information contact:
>Melissa Ramirez Cooper
>773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org
>http://www.ELCA.org/news
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