NEW ORLEANS, La. — Nearly 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Castle Church door, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States has approved a declaration recognizing “there are no longer church-dividing issues” on many points with the Roman Catholic Church.
The “Declaration on the Way” was approved 931–9 by the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly held in New Orleans.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton called the declaration “historic” in a statement released by the denomination following the Aug. 10 vote.
“Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity. … This ‘Declaration on the Way’ helps us to realize more fully our unity in Christ with our Catholic partners but it also serves to embolden our commitment to unity with all Christians,” Eaton said.
The declaration comes as the Lutheran and Catholic churches prepare to kick off a year of celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Most notably, the “Declaration on the Way” includes 32 “Statements of Agreement” where Lutherans and Catholics no longer have church-dividing differences on issues of church, ministry and the Eucharist. It also lists remaining differences between the two churches and next steps on addressing them. (RNS)
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