Statement by ELCA Presiding Bishop

STATEMENT BY ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP
ON ANNOUNCEMENT THAT JOINT DECLARATION WILL BE SIGNED THIS YEAR

"With other Lutherans around the world I am extremely pleased to hear the news announced today that representatives of the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation will gather on October 31, 1999, in the city of Augsburg, Germany, to sign the 'Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.'
"This document is a significant milestone in the reconciliation of our two church traditions. By acknowledging that there is agreement on this crucial article of the Christian faith, our two churches have bridged a theological divide that has separated us for nearly 500 years. This agreement will have a positive effect on the mood of conversations between our two communions. I hope that this theological breakthrough will lead to other agreements in the future.
"American Lutherans especially greet this announcement with enthusiasm because the work of the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue on the doctrine of justification, published in 1985, contributed significantly to this international agreement.
"My hope is that this historic occasion will be celebrated throughout the United States in regional gatherings during autumn and early winter where members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Roman Catholic Church may offer prayers of thanksgiving for this important step on the road to the greater unity of the Church of Jesus Christ."

The Rev. H. George Anderson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html