Catholics and Lutherans will tackle their centuries-long differences
head-on in an attempt to agree on a joint statement on the significance
of the Reformation in time for the 500th anniversary celebrations in
2017.The announcement was made on Monday at the Protestant Churches' synod in northern Germany.
The text will be prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation.
The prefect of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, addressed the synod, saying the Reformation had failed because it led to a schism.
Chairman Nikolaus Schneider, the leader of Germany's Protestant Churches, lamented the Churches' different understandings of Christian unity.
"One can but soberly admit that at the moment these different ecumenical standpoints cannot be overcome. That is disappointing," he said.