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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 30.08.2004 |
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| Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity Meets in Baltimore, USA |
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Discussion on Apostolicity of the Church, New Testament Foundations
BALTIMORE, United States of America/GENEVA, 30 August 2004 (LWI) – The focal topic of the recent phase of the Lutheran - Roman Catholic Commission on Unity was the Apostolicity of the Church. This year’s meeting, the ninth of the fourth phase of the commission, proceeded with its work on biblical, historical and systematic theological aspects of the theme.
At the July 9 to 17 meeting in Baltimore, United States of America, the commission carried out its work on the basis of revised drafts received from the drafting group, which had met in Erfurt, Germany, in April 2003 and in Rome in March 2004.
Discussions focussed on the “Apostolicity of the Church - New Testament Foundations;” the Apostolic Gospel and the Apostolicity of the Church;” “Apostolic Succession and the Ordained Ministry,” and “Church Teaching which Remains in the Truth.”
The dialogue is co-sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU). The commission is co-chaired by Bishop Dr Béla Harmati of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary, and Archbishop Alfons Nossol of Opole, from Poland.
From the beginning, the goal of the Lutheran - Roman Catholic dialogue has been the visible unity of the Church. The first phase of the dialogue (1967-1971) concentrated on the “Gospel and the Church,” while the second phase (1973 - 1984) looked at the “Eucharist and the Ministry in the Church.” The topic of the third phase (1986-1993) was “Church and Justification.” The 1999 signing of Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was also based on findings in this dialogue.
The commission is expected to conclude its work in 2005, and publish its report in 2006.
The next meeting of the Lutheran - Roman Catholic Commission on Unity will take place, 22-30 September 2005.
The full statement of the communiqué from the Lutheran - Roman Catholic Commission on Unity follows:
The Lutheran - Roman Catholic Commission on Unity
Baltimore, MD, USA
9 – 17 July 2004
Communiqué
The ninth meeting of the fourth phase of the Lutheran - Roman Catholic Commission on Unity took place from 9 to 17 July in Baltimore, MD, USA, upon invitation of the Lutheran World Federation.
This dialogue is sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU). From the Lutheran side, the Commission is co-chaired by Bishop Dr Béla Harmati of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary. From the Roman Catholic side, it is co-chaired by Archbishop Alfons Nossol of Opole, Poland. The secretary on the Roman Catholic side is Rev. Dr Matthias Türk (PCPCU) and on the Lutheran side Rev. Sven Oppegaard (LWF).
The other participants present were, on the Lutheran side: Prof. Dr Kristen Kvam (USA), Prof. Dr Ricardo Pietrantonio (Argentina), Prof. Dr Turid Karlsen Seim (Norway), Prof. Dr Yoshikazu Tokuzen (Japan), the Rev. Dr Pirjo Työrinoja (Finland), Prof. Dr Theo Dieter (France - Germany) and for this meeting Prof. Dr Eric Gritsch from Baltimore, USA. On the Catholic side: Bishop Dr Gerhard Schwenzer (Norway), Prof. Dr Margaret O'Gara (Canada), Prof. Dr Jared Wicks S.J. (USA), Prof. Dr Angelo Maffeis (Italy) and Prof. Thomas Söding (Germany). The two interpreters were Ms Donata Coleman and Ms Ursula Gassmann.
Excused were Presiding Bishop Samson Mushemba (Tanzania) and Prof. Dr Gunther Wenz (Germany) on the Lutheran side and Rev. Dr Polykarp Chuma Ibebuike (Nigeria) and Prof. Dr Eberhard Schockenhoff (Germany) on the Roman Catholic side.
From the beginning, the goal of the Lutheran - Roman Catholic dialogue has been the visible unity of the Church. The first phase of the dialogue (1967-1971) concentrated on the Gospel and the Church. The second phase (1973 - 1984) treated the Eucharist and the Ministry in the Church. The topic of the third phase (1986-1993) was Church and Justification. In 1999 the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was solemnly signed. This special event was also based on findings in this dialogue.
The focal topic of the present phase is the Apostolicity of the Church. At this year's meeting the Commission proceeded with its work on biblical, historical and systematic theological aspects of the theme. The Commission carried out its work on the basis of revised drafts received from the drafting group, which had met in Erfurt, Germany, in April 2003 and in Rome in March 2004.
In detail, the Commission discussed:
The Apostolicity of the Church - New Testament Foundations,
The Apostolic Gospel and the Apostolicity of the Church,
Apostolic Succession and the Ordained Ministry,
Church Teaching which Remains in the Truth.
The conclusion of the work is expected in 2005, and the report is scheduled for publication in 2006.
During the meeting, the Eucharist was celebrated each day, alternating between Roman Catholic and Lutheran rite.
On Saturday evening July 10, the group was hosted by the Lutheran Bishop of Baltimore, Bishop Gerard Knoche, who had organized a garden party at his estate outside Baltimore for the group.
On Sunday July 11, a worship service in the German language was celebrated at Zion Church, where Archbishop Nossol delivered the homily. It was followed by a Eucharistic service in the English language, also at Zion Church, where the homily was delivered by Bishop Harmati. Participants were able to meet the members of the congregation during the usual church coffee hour.
On Wednesday July 14 the Eucharist was celebrated at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, followed by a dinner at the Pastoral Center hosted by Auxiliary Bishop W. Francis Malooly in the absence of Cardinal William Keeler, traveling.
The Commission was unanimous in its appreciation of the way it was received at Zion Church of Baltimore where the meeting was held and where the participants had their meals.
The Commission was impressed by the way the meeting was prepared and expressed its gratitude especially to Dr Erich Gritsch and his wife Mrs. Bonnie Brobst, and the Lutheran pastor of Zion Church, Rev. Dr Holger Roggelin, as well as many volunteers of Zion Church.
The next meeting of the dialogue Commission will take place from 22 to 30 September 2005.
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