New Catholic-Lutheran document emphasizes areas of agreement
November 04, 2015
As the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses approaches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a 120-page document highlighting points of agreement between Lutherans and Catholics.
The document, entitled Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist, “represents in concrete form an opportunity for Lutherans and Catholics to join together now in a unifying manner on a way finally to full communion,” said Auxiliary Bishop Denis Madden of Baltimore.
“The Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs affirmed the 32 agreed statements and commended the Declaration on the Way to Cardinal [Kurt] Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, for further reflection and action,” the document notes. “The Declaration is not a statement of the full body of bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.”
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Further information:
- Catholics And Lutherans Release ‘Declaration On The Way’ To Full Unity (USCCB)
- Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist (USCCB)
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Nov. 05, 2015 8:18 PM ET USA
Having glanced over the document, it remains clear that the following glaring differences, among others, remain: (1) human nature destroyed by sin (Lutheran), human nature wounded by sin (Catholic). (2) The gates of hell continue to prevail against the Church (Lutheran), the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church (Catholic). The Mass is a spiritual sacrifice (Lutheran), the Mass is a true sacrifice (Catholic). Service in persona Christi, transubstantiation, Magisterial authority...
