As the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which falls in 2017, approaches, an important document jointly produced by Lutherans and Catholics has come into being – “From Conflict to Communion.” On the Lutheran Church’s side, the LWF (Lutheran World Federation) took part in producing and harmonizing the document; on the Catholic Church’s side – the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
“In 2017, Catholic and Lutheran Christians wish to look back on the events of the past that took place 500 years ago, and to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ its central place. The Gospel is to be celebrated and made known to the people of our age, so that the world may believe that God gives Himself for the sake of human beings and calls us into fellowship with Himself and with God’s congregation. This is precisely where our joy lies – in our common faith.
To this joy also belongs the capacity to discern, a self-critical look at ourselves, not only in the course of history, but also today. We Christians have most certainly not always been faithful to the Gospel; all too often we have conformed ourselves to the pattern of thinking and behavior of the surrounding world. To repeat, we have hindered the spread of the good news of God’s grace.
Both as individuals and as a family of believers, we are continually in need of repentance and reform, prompted and led by the Holy Spirit. “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said ‘Repent,’ He willed that the entire life of believers be one of repentance.” Thus begins the text of Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517, which set in motion the Reformation movement.” /From the introductory part of the document “From Conflict to Communion” /
At the present moment the document is not available in Latvian, but the document in English can be accessed (and downloaded) here.
Aļesja Lavrinoviča