wfn.org | "Joint Declaration" is a 'peace document'

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

It deepens Christian understanding

AUGSBURG, Germany/GENEVA, 29 October 1999 (lwi) -The signatories to the
historic "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" being
confirmed between the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic
Church on 31 October 1999, have described it as "a peace document"; " a
sign of hope"; "a description of the road we are traveling not the end
of it"; and "an agreement that deepens our understanding of one
another".

These remarks among others, were expressed by the LWF President Bishop
Christian Krause, General Secretary Dr. Ishmael Noko, the Vatican's
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) President
Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy and the PCPCU Secretary Bishop Walter
Kasper, when they jointly responded to questions from among some 100
international journalists who are in Augsburg to witness the historic
confirmation. With this signing, nearly 500 years of mutual
condemnations, differences of opinion and strained relations which also
led to war and persecution are brought to an end.

During the press conference at the St. Augustana House in Augsburg, the
LWF General Secretary said the "Joint Declaration" represents an
important contribution to the establishment of a culture of peace.
Citing peace initiatives by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the
community of nations in the next decade, Noko described the doctrine of
justification by faith as a call to all those who are baptized in Christ
to take part in building community across the barriers that exist
between nations, ethnic groups, gender and generations.

For the LWF President Bishop Christian Krause, the confirmation of the
"Joint Declaration" opens the way for other steps in the process of the
dialogue between the Catholics and the Lutherans. It is not the end of
the road but a moment to pause, shake hands and go on. "We now have a
basis on which both of us (Catholics and Lutherans) can work further on
other questions" raised about justification "including the mutual
participation in the Eucharist as guests", he said.

Noko also described the confirmation of the "Joint Declaration" as a
moment of reconciliation which removes a serious obstacle to further
progress towards Christian unity, and paves the way to further
ecumenical dialogue on other issues between the churches of the
Reformation and the Roman Catholic Church.

It was Dr. Noko's hope that the "Joint Declaration" will contribute to
increasing contact and cooperation among Lutheran and Catholic churches
at the parish level, to the progress of the worldwide ecumenical
movement and the building of a culture of peace at the threshold of the
third millennium.

Responding to a question on the practical implications of the "Joint
Declaration" for the churches in the southern hemisphere, Noko said
there are various ways in which both Lutherans and Catholic churches all
over the world can collaborate. He talked of joint programs with regard
to reviewing Christian education curriculum in schools, in theological
institutions, and the exchange of clergy and laity which although might
be taking place among some churches gains official recognition with the
confirmation of the "Joint Declaration".

For Cardinal Cassidy, the "Joint Declaration" does not claim that full
agreement has been reached on all questions regarding the doctrine of
justification. However, "it is an invitation for both Catholics and
Lutherans to move forward together," he said. He also described the
confirmation of the declaration as "an invitation for us" to tackle the
remaining questions, "deepen our understanding of one another and grow
together in unity and solidarity." The historic signing, he added,
"gives us hope and courage" to face the remaining questions and
"overcome our goal" --unity in Christ.

According to Cardinal Cassidy, the confirmation of the "Joint
Declaration" is a source of great joy and comfort for Pope John Paul II.
The PCPCU President added that for the Catholics, the unity sought is
unity in apostolic faith as opposed to uniformity. Personally, he said
he felt greatly honored to be among those who will sign the "Joint
Declaration" and added that this is even the more significant since he
is working for Christian unity. On a light note, the Cardinal said that
if on judgement day he is asked what he did, if nothing else, he can say
he "signed the 'Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification'".

Bishop Kasper, while welcoming the historic signing said one of the next
steps that should be considered is the translation of documentation on
the "Joint Declaration" into what he called "the language of the
future". This should be done in order to help for example, the young
people to understand the message and meaning of justification. He
underlined that people need to feel accepted and know that they can rely
on the offer of Christ for forgiveness in a language that they can
understand.

(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.)

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