wfn.org | CONFIRMING JOINT DECLARATION ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

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

BETWEEN THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

GENEVA, 27 May 1999 (lwi) - The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification can now be the object of a joint action of confirmation
between the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Roman Catholic
Church.

On the basis of responses from its member churches, the LWF Council
affirmed the Joint Declaration on 16 June 1998. And on 25 June 1998 the
Roman Catholic Church gave its response to the same Declaration.  At
that time it was clear that the two dialogue partners had not affirmed
the Joint Declaration in the same way.

However, an action of joint signing could only take place if the two
parties involved had the same understanding of the significance of such
a signing. In consultations between the Roman Catholic Church and the
LWF, discussions have taken place to clarify the basis for a joint
signing, leading to a possible "Official Common Statement" which could
be jointly signed, and a short explanatory "Annex" to this Statement.

The LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko today received a letter
from the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity,  H.E. Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy, informing that the Holy See
has approved these texts, opening the way for the signing of the Joint
Declaration.

Details about the time and place of the signing ceremony of the Joint
Declaration will be announced here on 11 June 1999 at a press conference
jointly by Dr. Noko and Cardinal Cassidy.

(The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of Lutheran
churches. Founded in 1947, the LWF now has 124 member churches in 69
countries representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans.
Its highest decision-making body is the Assembly which meets every six
or seven years. Between Assemblies the LWF is governed by a 49-member
Council, which meets annually and its Executive Committee.)

*       *       *

Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/