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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 08.11.2004 |
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| A Day of Spiritual Renewal as Slovak Lutherans and Catholics Celebrate Ecumenical Agreement |
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Slovak Bishop Filo Cites Positive Impact of JDDJ, Calls for Intensified Effort on Practical Aspects
BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic/GENEVA, 8 November 2004 (LWI) – “A Day of Spiritual Renewal,” was the theme of ecumenical celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine Justification (JDDJ) in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic (ECAC-SR) and Roman Catholic Church jointly organized the October 22 festivities that included a symposium and liturgical celebration. Representatives from various churches including ecumenical partners, educational and other institutions, political and civic leaders and members of the general public attended both events.
Signed by representatives of the LWF and Roman Catholic Church on 31 October 1999 in Ausgburg, Germany, the JDDJ affirms that Lutherans and Catholics have reached a consensus on the basic truths regarding justification, and that the condemnations of the 16th century Reformation do not apply to the teaching presented in the JDDJ.
“God’s justifying grace continues to reconcile people and bring peace to the world. We want to discover and receive the renewing gifts of God’s mercy and join our hands in service to the world.” With these words ECAC-SR General Bishop, Dr Julius Filo and Bishop Frantisek Tondra, chairperson of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the Slovak Republic welcomed guests to the symposium. Participants included the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko; Monsignor Aldo Giordano, General Secretary of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences; representatives of Lutheran churches from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland; as well as key political leaders including Mr Pavol Hrusovsky, chairperson of the National Council (Parliament) of the Slovak Republic.
Delivering his opening address during the symposium held at the National Council’s congress center in Bratislava, Hrusovsky noted that the agreement between the Roman Catholics and Lutherans on basic truths of the doctrine of justification has implications for the general public today. In a society that constantly creates and glorifies “dividing lines” among its different sectors, he said, the JDDJ responds to this trend by overcoming divisions.
Noko focused his presentation on the power of justification in bringing down walls that separate people. In view of the wider context of Christian responsibility globally, he asked: “How can churches overcome their own divisions so that religious tensions can be overcome?”
Giordano, who also represented the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) pointed out the difference between liberty that has its origin in powers that separate people from God thus resulting in destructive divisions, and the liberty brought by the Son of God. The JDDJ, he stressed, “is directing us to the path opened for us by Jesus Christ.”
In his concluding remarks at the symposium, Filo named some of the positive effects of the JDDJ for relations between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the Slovak Republic. He cited the agreement on mutual recognition of baptism signed on 4 June 2001, and also spoke of a new atmosphere and mechanisms of mutual accountability on how the JDDJ can be expressed in the daily lives of Christians. Future tasks include the need for mutual recognition of the churches’ ministry, and giving more attention to the issue of confessionally mixed marriages. In agreement with the LWF general secretary, the ECAC-SR bishop also emphasized the need for patience in letting “the fruits of the JDDJ grow before we can enjoy their full strength among ourselves.”
The day concluded with a liturgical celebration in the Evangelical Church in Bratislava, which was attended by Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic. Noko and Giordano delivered homilies during the service which followed the order proposed jointly by the LWF and PCPCU.
Roman Catholics comprise around 60 percent of the Slovak Republic’s 5.4 million people while Protestants make up 8.4 percent. The ECAC-SR has 372,858 members, and joined the LWF in 1947. (653 words)
(A contribution by Rev. Ondrej Prostrednik, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic.)
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