Follow-up to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
At its meeting in Turku, Finland in June 2000, the LWF Council adopted a Plan of Action for the follow-up to the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ).
In line with the Council resolution the OEA organized a consultation in November 2001 on "Unity in Faith - The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in a Wider Ecumenical Context." In addition to representatives from the LWF and Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, representatives from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and World Methodist Council were invited to participate. The consultation considered how other communions than the two signing partners could relate to the agreements reached in the JDDJ and what the achievement of this declaration could contribute to our understanding of Christian unity.
The Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) will organize a consultation in 2002 on the meaning of justification with reference to several issues in church and society today.
The Institute for Ecumenical Research, in Strasbourg, France, and Johann-Adam-Möhler Institute in Paderborn, Germany, are planning an in-depth study process devoted to the theological issue of the Christian as being simultaneously justified and a sinner, and on the significance of good works in Christian life.
Lutheran Identity in Ecumenical Relationships
An interdepartmental study process, involving the Office for Ecumenical Affairs, the Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) and the Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg, focuses on Lutheran Identity in Ecumenical Relationships. It seeks to clarify some of the ways in which the confessional identity of the Lutheran communion can be expressed with regard to significant ecumenical issues. The aim of the study process is not to produce "timeless" expressions of Lutheran self-understanding, but to hold together some of the main perspectives which have been developed in bilateral dialogues where Lutherans have been a part.
In its first phase,
lodged in the Office for Ecumenical Affairs, the study
has focused on "The Episcopal Ministry within the
Apostolicity of the Church" (German) (French) (Spanish). It follows up previous
LWF studies on the ministry, which developed reports in
1983 and 1992 (cf. "Ministry - Women -
Bishops", LWF 1993). (Links require Adobe Acrobat Reader) 
After five regional meetings around the world, a consultation was held in Malta in late 2002 involving Lutheran participants in international dialogue commissions. The consultation developed the present Statement, which is currently being studied by the LWF member churches at the request of the Executive Committee.
The statement is
available in a four-language booklet (English, German,
French and Spanish). Orders can be placed with the LWF
Office for Ecumenical Affairs, 150 route de Ferney, P.
O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, Tel. +41/22-791
6356,
Fax +41/22-791 6630, E-mail Ms Mercedes Restrepo, Administrative Assistant .
The cost is CHF 5, EUR 3.20 or USD 3.70 plus postage.
