Cardinal Kasper writes book on Luther

May 19, 2016

An Italian publishing house, Editrice Queriniana, has published a 75-page book on Martin Luther by Cardinal Walter Kasper.

In Martin Lutero: Una prospettiva ecumenica, the retired president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity expands on a lecture he delivered in Germany in January.

“Luther himself was not an ecumenical person,” Cardinal Kasper noted, and Luther had harsh words for Jews and Muslims. Cardinal Kasper stated that Luther’s anti-papal polemic led to an “antithesis,” an increasing Catholic emphasis on the papacy as a hallmark of Catholic identity.

The Second Vatican Council and recent popes, particularly Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, have helped foster a climate in which ecumenical dialogue can proceed, continued Cardinal Kasper, who also discussed the importance of Luther’s “original orientation to the Gospel of the grace and mercy of God and the call to conversion.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Martin Lutero: Una prospettiva ecumenica (Editrice Queriniana)
• Sguardo su Lutero alla vigilia del quinto centenario della Riforma (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 4)