LUTHERANS AND CATHOLIC TO MARK REFORMATION IN UNITY

On 17 June, the Vatican and Lutheran World Federation (LWF) announced plans to commemorate 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 by stressing their common faith in Jesus and commitment to spread the Gospel rather than dwelling on the bitter disputes of the past. This is the first-ever attempt to present a joint version of the Reformation and “a very important step in a healing process which we all need.” Rev Martin Junge of Chile and Cardinal Kurt Koch of Rome presented a 93 page paper acknowledging faults on both sides. In an age of ecumenism, globalisation and extensive secularisation, past feuds are now forgotten and we need to work together “and jointly rediscover the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for our time.”