Welcome to a fascinating exploration of the state of Catholic-Lutheran dialogue today, following a meeting between the Pope and the Lutheran World Federation’s leadership. I’m Joseph Tulloch, and I’ll be your guide through this insightful discussion.
On a recent Thursday morning, Pope Francis met with a delegation from the Lutheran World Federation, emphasizing the ‘signs of hope’ on our common ecumenical journey. Among the attendees was the esteemed Rev Dr Anne Burghardt, the General Secretary of the Federation and an ordained pastor in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
After the meeting, the Rev Burghardt graciously agreed to share her thoughts on the current state of Catholic-Lutheran relations in an interview with Vatican News.
The Path of Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue
Burghardt highlighted the longstanding tradition of dialogue between the Lutheran Church and the Catholic Church, dating back to 1967 in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council. Five rounds of official dialogue have taken place, with plans for a sixth phase focusing on ecclesiology and ministry set to commence next year.
However, the Rev Burghardt emphasized the milestones already achieved through collaboration. She highlighted the 1999 joint declaration on the doctrine of justification, which resolved a significant issue that had separated the two churches in the 16th century.
Rev Dr Anne Burghardt at the Vatican News offices
Exploring the Augsburg Confession
Burghardt discussed the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, a pivotal document in Lutheran theology published in 1530. She expressed the Lutheran World Federation’s intention to examine this confession in a collaborative spirit, seeking to understand its universal Christian insights alongside the Catholic Church.
Unveiling the ‘Catholic Luther’
In response to questions about the ‘Catholic Luther’, Burghardt emphasized Luther’s mission to reform the Church rather than create a new one. She noted the shared focus of Luther and Pope Francis on placing Jesus Christ and God’s grace at the core of Christian faith.
According to Burghardt, Luther’s profound impact lies in refocusing Christianity on the centrality of Christ’s message of grace and mercy.
Celebrating Ecumenical Progress
In wrapping up the interview, Burghardt expressed her optimism about the positive relations between churches today. She highlighted the significant strides made in ecumenical dialogue over the past century and stressed the importance of unity and collaboration among Christians in today’s world.
Join us in celebrating the shared journey of Catholic-Lutheran dialogue, where hope and progress intertwine to create a brighter future for all believers.
