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| "And we are in fellowship with you, Missouri and WELS." |
ELCA, Catholic leaders celebrate their Christian unity, continue dialogue - News Releases - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
CHICAGO (ELCA) - In gratitude for the "unity in Christ" between the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson shared with Pope Benedict XVI a sense of urgency between Lutherans and Catholics in responding to the "great needs of poverty and human care" in the world.
Hanson led a delegation of ELCA leaders to meet with Pope Benedict and other Catholic Church leaders Feb. 14-16 at the Vatican. The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have been in active dialogue with the Catholic Church since the 1960s.
In his greeting to Pope Benedict, Hanson said, "As Catholics and Lutherans, we have a renewed commitment to unity in Christ.
"We recognize that there is urgency in our joining Catholics to respond to the great needs of poverty and human care. Being stewards of creation and working toward peace throughout the world are commitments that Christians are able to share in daily life and in our ministries of care," he said.
"With you, we pray for peace. As we see the suffering in Syria, in Africa, and in the Middle East, we join your call for peace throughout the world. As Lutherans, we share this call and commitment with you and the leaders of the Abrahamic faiths. This time calls for Jews, Christians and Muslims to deepen our understanding of one another and our resolve to work together to build a world of peace with justice."
Hanson also shared his deep respect for Pope Benedict, his ministry of oversight, and for the well-being of the Catholic Church. He also asked that Pope Benedict and Catholic Church leaders remember in prayer The Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "as we promise to remember you in our petitions to our gracious God."
The ELCA is the only U.S. Lutheran church in The Lutheran World Federation, a global communion representing more than 70 million Christians worldwide.
'via Blog this'
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| "And so are we, eh?" |
