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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 19.04.2005 |
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| LWF Calls for Unity in Prayer, Strength and Guidance for Pope Benedict XVI |
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LWF President, General Secretary Anticipate Significant Ecumenical Progress
GENEVA, 19 April 2005 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has appealed to Christians to be united in prayer that God may bless, strengthen and guide Pope Benedict XVI “as a heavy mantle of responsibility is now being put upon him.”
In a joint statement, LWF President Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko emphasize Lutherans’ special expectation toward the new pope “that ecumenical progress can be made on the basis of the substantial theological agreements that have been achieved through 40 years of international Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue – especially with regard to justification, ministry and sacraments.”
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 78, was elected pope on Tuesday afternoon, April 19. At about 5:50 p.m., white smoke and ringing bells proclaimed that on the second day of the conclave, the 115 cardinals assembled in the Sistine Chapel had agreed on a successor for John Paul II. Pope John Paul II died on the evening of April 2. (188 words)
The full text of the LWF statement follows:
Statement by The Lutheran World Federation – A Communion of Churches, upon the election of Pope Benedict XVI
At the election of Pope Benedict XVI it is appropriate for Christians to be united in prayer that God may bless, strengthen and guide him as a heavy mantle of responsibility is now being put upon him.
History has shown in so many ways the impact of the Roman Pontiff on the direction of events both in church and in society. At the present time we see especially the urgency of processes of reconciliation across religious, ethnic and economic divides. The main contribution of the churches in the face of this common challenge is the message of God’s free, justifying grace, with its many spiritual and social consequences. The significance of this message was ecumenically recognized five years ago when the Lutheran – Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was signed.
By God’s grace the value of the human person is immeasurable. It must not be violated by religiously-based aggression or by abuses of economic or military power. Human dignity must be protected from continuing gender-based oppression. The ravages of preventable illnesses must be curbed by social development and adequate ethical guidance. Faced with these challenges and many others, the new pope will be expected not only to continue the many contributions of his predecessor, but also to provide new strategies where such are needed.
The unity of the church, prayed for by Christ himself, is an important goal to strive for, which will also be a major contribution to the unity of humankind. Pope Benedict XVI will meet strong expectations in this area as well, since the hope for Christian unity calls for significantly new approaches. As Lutherans we expect especially that ecumenical progress can be made on the basis of the substantial theological agreements that have been achieved through 40 years of international Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue – particularly with regard to justification, ministry and sacraments. Let us pray together that God may show us ways forward by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As Pope Benedict XVI prepares to assume his high spiritual and temporal responsibilities, The Lutheran World Federation – A Communion of Churches accompanies him with the prayer that he will be given the grace to continue the ministry of his predecessors in a process of steady renewal, for the benefit of the church universal, and of humanity.
Chicago and Geneva, 19 April 2005
Bishop Mark Hanson President
Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko General Secretary
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