Historical opportunity for ecumenism
Heinrich Bedford-Strohm comments on launch of Reformation anniversary with Pope Francis
Reformation Day 2016 (31 October) rang in a year of celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The festive events were entirely devoted to further steps of ecumenical convergence between the mainline Christian churches. For the first time in history, a primate of the Catholic Church opened a centennial commemoration of the Reformation – in Lund, Sweden.
Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, chair of the EKD Council, told press representatives last week: “On Reformation Day 2016 we will gladly and gratefully wave from Berlin to Lund.” And he repeated this today amid applause at the festive service held in Berlin to open the Reformation anniversary.
Asked about his initial response to the prayer service and ecumenical celebrations in Sweden, Heinrich Bedford-Strohm replied:
“In his sermon[1] Pope Francis said, ‘We ought to recognize … that our division distanced us from the primordial intuition of God’s people, who naturally yearn to be one.’ These words of the Pope moved me greatly. Francis speaks to the heart of many Christians in Germany, who already have close ties with one another in the local parishes. The Joint Statement signed in Lund today by Lutherans and Catholics takes account of this fact. It underlines the common pastoral responsibility of both churches with respect to full altar fellowship, which has still not been accomplished.”
Bedford-Strohm continued: “2017 is a historic opportunity on the journey towards church unity. Pope Frances today made it clear again how close this ecumenical journey is to his heart. Through overcoming painful separation in reconciled diversity we Christians testify to our faith together in a world full of conflicts and war.”
Hanover/Berlin, 31 October 2016
EKD Press Office
Carsten Splitt
[1] For full text see https://www.lutheranworld.org/sites/default/files/joint_commemoration_pf_sermon_final_en.pdf
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