wfn.org | Joint Declaration: The way forward toward Christian unity

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

The beginning of a new ecumenical consciousness

AUGSBURG, Germany/GENEVA, 30 October 1999 (lwi) -A fundamental issue
that was raised during the joint press conference addressed on 29
October 1999 by the key representatives of the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) and the Roman Catholic Church*s Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity (PCPCU), presently in Augsburg to celebrate and
officially confirm the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification" on behalf of the two communions, was the unity Christians
have in Jesus Christ.

When he made his remarks and answered questions from journalists in view
of the signing of the "Joint Declaration" between the LWF and the Roman
Catholic Church on Sunday, 31 October 1999, the LWF General Secretary
Dr. Ishmael Noko pointed out among other things that it has become
increasingly clear all over the world that no church can carry out its
mission in present-day society without involving and relying on the
collaboration of its sister churches.

That a more than 30-year process of dialogue has resulted in success in
agreeing on justification, the one doctrine which was the theological
basis for the division of the Western churches, is not only a reason to
rejoice but a decisive step towards recognizing one another (Lutherans
and Catholics) as churches, and also toward the realization of the
Christian churches* common responsibility for witness and service to the
world. For the first time in history, a common ecumenical document has
been created through a joint process involving the two world communions.

Noko*s message, two days before the historic signing was: "Wherever
Lutherans and Roman Catholics live together, let the world know that
they are not opponents, but sisters and brothers in the one church of
Jesus Christ and in the world." The confirmation of the "Joint
Declaration" therefore becomes an occasion for thinking together about
the opportunities and obligations in the future.

For the LWF President Bishop Christian Krause, the signing ceremony on
31 October 1999 represents a major point on the road (railway line)
being traveled by both Catholics and Lutherans. At this point in the
dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans, it is not the moment to say
one has come to the end of the journey but at one of the major points or
stops on the journey when "we pause, extend each to the other the hand
and go on." The LWF president emphasized that it is important that the
two partners in dialogue now have a basis on which to continue working
further on other questions that still remain such as the mutual
participation in the Eucharist as guests.
The President of the Vatican*s Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity (PCPCU) Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy described the
historic confirmation on Sunday as significant in that it brings "before
us a central truth of the whole of Christianity, helps us to put in a
balance which does not place too much emphasis neither on the divine,
neither on justification, nor the human but at the same time finds a way
of bringing these together so that the act of justification is
harmonized in a way that has brought deeper understanding to those who
are studying this document (the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification) than they had before."

The joint confirmation also opens the door for the dialogue partners and
Christians to look forward. "If we had not been able to sign this
document at the end of this century, there would have been great
disappointment in the ecumenical movement because the door which seemed
to be ready to open would not have opened. But it will now open and the
invitation is for us to move together to deepen the understanding that
we have reached, strengthen the bonds of fellowship between us and grow
together in greater unity and solidarity, and to work on the questions
that still remain," Cardinal Cassidy said.

The PCPCU president noted that only a few years ago, it could have been
said that the issue of justification was foremost among those questions
to be overcome, but with the consensus reached now, there is hope and
courage to overcome the questions which still remain.

The historic confirmation of the "Joint Declaration" also has
significance in the Catholic church*s Jubilee 2000. Cardinal Cassidy
explained during the press conference that when Pope John Paul II called
for the preparations of the great Jubilee, one of the Holy Father*s
requests and hope was the wish to arrive at this great Christian
celebration if not fully united, at least much closer to the unity to
which Jesus Christ calls the Church. The events taking place in
Augsburg, the Cardinal added, "are considered a profound response to
that desire expressed four years ago" in the jubilee document. Cassidy
also recalled that when the Pope was visiting Romania in May this year,
he expressed his commitment to furthering the cause of Christian unity.

On an individual level, Cardinal Cassidy expressed his profound joy and
honor at the fact that he together with the PCPCU Secretary Bishop
Walter Kasper would be the ones to sign on behalf of the Roman Catholic
Church. "There would be no greater joy for someone working in Christian
unity than to be able to do that. And if on the day of judgement I have
nothing else to present to the Lord when he asks me *did you do anything
good during your life*, I can say I signed the Joint Declaration", he
said on a light note.

The actual signing of the "Joint Declaration" takes place on Sunday 31
October 1999 at the Lutheran Church of St. Anna, Augsburg. Preceding
this are ecumenical vespers on Saturday evening, 30 October 1999 in the
Basilica of St. Ulrich and St. Afra.

At the signing ceremony on 31 October 1999, the LWF will be represented
by the LWF President Bishop Christian Krause; General Secretary Dr.
Ishmael Noko; vice-presidents Bishop George Anderson, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); Bishop Dr. Julius Filo, Evangelical
Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic; Ms Parmata A.
Ishaya, Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN); President Huberto
Kirchheim, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil
(ECLCB); Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumari, Arcot Lutheran Church in India, as
well as the LWF Treasurer, Dr. Sigrun Mogedal, the Church of Norway. The
Roman Catholic Church will be represented by the PCPCU President Edward
Idris Cardinal Cassidy and the Secretary Bishop Walter Kasper.

(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/