wfn.org | LWF-Vatican News Conference 11 June 1999

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

4 June 1999
Geneva, Ecumenical Center

         Invitation to a joint news conference by
the Lutheran World Federation General Secretary Dr. Ishmael Noko and
the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
       His Excellency Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy

The way is now open for the signing of the "Joint Declaration on the
Doctrine of Justification" between the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The two partners in
dialogue have agreed on an Official Common Statement with an Annex,
as a means of expressing the joint confirmation of the 'Joint
Declaration', therefore bringing to an end the discussion begun in
June last year on how the 'Joint Declaration' might be jointly
confirmed. By the action of signing, the doctrinal condemnations
regarding the doctrine of justification which were set forth mutually
by the Lutheran and Catholic sides at the time of the Reformation
will be declared not to apply to the present teaching on
justification as presented by the two partners in the 'Joint
Declaration'.

In agreement with the Roman Catholic Church, the LWF invites you to a
joint press conference to be addressed by the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) General Secretary Dr. Ishmael Noko and the President
of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, His
Excellency Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy. It will be held on Friday,
11 June 1999 at 10.00hrs in the plenary hall of the Ecumenical
Center, 150 Route de Ferney, Geneva.

Relevant documentation pertaining to  the 'Joint Declaration' will be
provided at the venue of the press conference in the following three
languages: English, German and French. The material includes the text
of the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" itself,
the June 1998 responses to the 'Joint Declaration' by the LWF Council
and the Roman Catholic Church, the 'Official Common Statement' and
its 'Annex', and relevant press photographs.

Simultaneous translation will be provided in English, German and
French, therefore members of the press may pose questions in any of
the three languages mentioned above.

Attached, please find a copy of the last Press Release from the LWF
dated 27 May 1999.

You are cordially invited to refreshments in the Ecumenical Center
soon after the press conference.

Marc Chambron
Acting Director, LWF/Office for Communication Services

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