wfn.org | Exhibition - Videotape - Internet Broadcast

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

Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

GENEVA, 23 October 1999 (lwi) - The signing of the Joint Declaration on
the Doctrine of Justification by the Lutheran World Federation and the
Roman Catholic Church in Augsburg, Federal Republic of Germany, on 31
October 1999 is a milestone in the history of the ecumenical movement.
With this signing, more than 400 years of mutual condemnations,
differences of opinion and strained relations which also led to war and
persecution, are brought to an end. The way ahead is now clear for unity
in reconciled diversity.

The LWF Office for Communication Services (OCS) is preparing an
exhibition, videotape and internet broadcast, providing the highlights
of this historic event. Please refer to the information below.

The exhibition is divided into three parts:

Justified before God - Today's special focus on the significance of the
Doctrine of Justification makes the theological disputes which took
place at the time of the Reformation become clearer. Illustrations and
important texts of the Reformers and the Council of Trent, photos of
significant historical sites, and maps are fundamental to an
understanding of the historical context.

Justified before God - The ecumenical dialogue between the Lutheran
World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church lasted for 30 years.
Archive material from the Lutheran World Federation illustrates the
ecumenical rapprochement after the Second Vatican Council, difficulties
in the dialogue, and the ongoing hope for mutual understanding as well
as the struggle toward unity in diversity.

Justified before God - The actual discussion on the Doctrine of
Justification raises questions such as: What does justification mean in
the world's contexts? Where is righteousness experienced? What form does
faith take? These photos and texts provide an explanation and are
intended as an incentive for common reflection and discussion in
schools, adult education groups, families, congregations, worship
services and everyday life.

The exhibition is made up of 30 laminated panels of illustrations and
texts on colored cardboard in A1 format. The texts on the panels are in
German. Leaflets in English are provided. The exhibition is offered for
hire to those who are interested.

A related videotape and workbook, now in preparation, are available on
short notice upon request. The thirty-minute videotape gives a short
introduction to the terminology used in the different historical
contexts. It explains the actual discussions on the Joint Declaration,
and the events in Augsburg, making use of selected interviews, photos
and documents with a glance at possible situations in different contexts
today where justification has specific significance.

In addition to texts and illustrations, the workbook contains further
information such as selected documents, liturgies and background
information as well as recommendations for further reading and media
access.

A special Webpage has been designed for the occasion of the signing
ceremony in Augsburg. The texts of the official documents are offered in
English and in German as well as detailed information on the
festivities. Videotape recordings of the events in Augsburg are being
provided via Internet. The audio/video "Streaming Media" can be accessed
worldwide by Internet users through the "RealPlayer". The audio/video
transmission can be accessed through the already existing Webpage -
www.rechtfertigung.de (German) or www.justification.org (English) or via
link from the Lutheran World Federation Webpage - www.lutheranworld.org.

For further information, please contact:
Office for Communication Services
The Lutheran World Federation
P.O. Box 2100
1211 GenŠve 2

TEL.: +41/22-791 61 11
FAX: +41/22-798 86 16
E-mail: info@lutheranworld.org

(The LWF is a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries
representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans. Its
highest decision making body is the Assembly, held every six or seven
years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council
which meets annually, and its Executive Committee. The LWF secretariat
is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

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