Benedict XVI expressed words of appreciation for the work done in ecumenism by the Lutheran World Federation, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its foundation.The Pope sent his message through the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper. The message was sent to the president of the LWF, Bishop Mark Hanson, and read on Sunday at the Cathedral of Lund, Sweden.
In the message, the Holy Father underlined how the LWF, since the end of the Second Vatican Council, "has engaged in a fruitful ecumenical dialogue up until today," which has led to "important steps forward" on the path to unity.
He said these steps forward "were expressed clearly" in documents like the Joint Declaration on Justification, signed by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation in October 1999.
The World Methodist Council also signed the document in July 2006.
Path Ahead
The Lutheran-Catholic Commission continues working on the differences between Lutherans and Catholics on certain questions of faith such as the nature of the Church and the sacraments.
In his message, Benedict XVI stated that the relations between Lutherans and Catholics has been deepened thanks to common prayer and many encounters on a world level, and are "a gift of the Holy Spirit which at the same time commits us not to slacken in our ecumenical endeavors in the spirit of our Lord's prayer 'that they may all be one.'"
The Bishop of Rome continued, "We are called in common witness to proclaim the saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world suffering distress and seeking orientation on so many points."
In his greetings, Cardinal Kasper underlined how, since Vatican II, a sort of communion between the Catholic Church and the LWF has arisen.
He said that both have "achieved many steps that look forward, toward an ever greater partnership and friendship."
The Lutheran World Federation is an alliance of national and regional churches of Lutheran profession.
Founded in 1947, its headquarters are in Geneva.
Today it unites 140 churches, representing 78 nations and some 66.7 million Lutheran Protestants.
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