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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 26.03.2007 |
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| Church Leaders Pay Tribute to LWF’s Leading Ecumenical Role |
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Press Release No. 15-2007
Common Witness in the World
LUND, Sweden/GENEVA, 26 March 2007 (LWI) – On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) expressed appreciation for the partnership and friendship between Lutherans and Roman Catholics.
In his greeting to worshippers attending the 25 March festive eucharistic service to mark the LWF’s 60th anniversary in the Lund Cathedral, Lund, Sweden, PCPCU President Walter Cardinal Kasper said the Council had followed “with interest” the LWF’s “steady growth and development from Federation to communion.” But, more than that, he noted, “we have also participated in the slow but steadfast growth and maturation of the communion between Lutherans and Catholics. ... Today we can even say that we are living together in some way as a communion in the world.”
Today’s world, searching for justice and peace, living in fear and lacking hope, “needs our common witness in order to become … a communion and a family,” added the PCPCU president.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosius of Helsinki, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, expressed deep gratitude to the Lutheran churches for all the ecumenical openness and fraternal [and] sisterly love to the Orthodox Church.
He described the dialogue with the LWF as one of the most promising theological dialogues of the Orthodox Church. “Mutual respect and learning process, deepening understanding of our sacramental and liturgical heritage gradually lead to fuller recognition of the mystery of the Church in our common tradition and spirituality.”
Presenting greetings from the World Council of Churches (WCC) on the LWF’s anniversary, WCC Central Committee moderator, Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, expressed appreciation for the “tireless efforts of the LWF to foster throughout the whole communion a Lutheran identity that is ecumenically committed and open to sharing generously its gifts of spirit and resources.” He singled out the LWF’s support for a new style of WCC assemblies that offer an expanded space in which to nurture the coherence of the ecumenical movement as one such sign of commitment and vision.
The WCC moderator said greater cooperation was anticipated in responding to the urgent issues facing the church such as ecumenical response to globalization and HIV and AIDS, and to the violation of human rights among other issues. (382 words)
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An estimated 500 people including over 100 church leaders are attending this year's Council meeting, church leadership consultation and the LWF 60th anniversary celebrations. Also attending are officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff, accredited media and participants in the three-year LWF international training program for young communicators.
During the Council meeting, the LWF Office for Communication Services can be reached at mobile tel no. +46/76-276 1311.
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