Reformed Churches accept joint Catholic-Lutheran statement on justification
July 04, 2017
The World Communion of Reformed Churches has accepted that Joint Declaration on Justification that was originally signed by the Catholic Church and the World Lutheran Federation in 1999, and later by the World Methodist Council in 2016.
The World Communion of Reformed Churches will formalize its assent to the statement at an ecumenical prayer service to be held in Wittenberg, Germany, on July 5.
The Pontifical Council for Christian Unity welcomed the acceptance of the statement by the Reformed Churches as an “important milestone” in ecumenical affairs. The Vatican body said:
One of the crucial issues of dissent between the Reformers and the authorities of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century is thus being diffused and overcome, making further growth in spiritual and ecclesial communion between the Protestant and Catholic Churches possible.
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Further information:
- Vatican note on Reformed Churches' signing of Justification Declaration (Vatican Radio)
- Catholic-Lutheran Accord on Justification (CWN, 5/28/99)
- Methodists join Catholic-Lutheran statement on justification (CWN, 7/26/06)
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Posted by: tjbenjamin -
Jul. 04, 2017 5:29 PM ET USA
Yet Jesus prayed to the Father, and so must we, that we may all be one. Holy Spirit, guide us.
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Posted by: feedback -
Jul. 04, 2017 11:30 AM ET USA
In 1999, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (then under Card. Ratzinger) responded to the Declaration pointing out some inconsistencies. The critique seems to me still valid. Is that the reason why Card. Muller was removed? http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_01081998_off-answer-catholic_en.html
