News Release #322

Released to Media on October 28, 1999

New Ulm – The most significant advance toward the reunion of the Catholic and Lutheran churches in over 400 years, will be locally observed in a commemorative signing of the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification," at the New Ulm Catholic Pastoral Center, Monday, November 1, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. The statement is the first doctrinal agreement between Catholics and Lutherans since 1517 when German theologian Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to a church door, spurring the Reformation that gave birth to Protestant denominations.

Bishop Raymond A. Lucker of the New Ulm Catholic Diocese, and Bishop Stanley N. Olson, of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, will jointly celebrate a symbolic signing of this historic agreement during a small gathering of leaders representing both denominations. Bishop John F. Kinney, of the Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud, will also be present to participate in this event.

The landmark declaration between the Catholic and Lutherans will be formally signed October 31, 1999, (Reformation Sunday), in Augsburg, Germany, by the Vatican’s chief ecumenist, Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, and Rev. Dr. Ismael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.

The agreement is a significant step toward the fundamental reunion of the two churches. One of the sources of division between the two churches is the nature of salvation. Lutheran doctrine stresses that people can be saved through faith alone, while Catholic doctrine has maintained that continuing penance and good works are needed for salvation. In the joint declaration both agreed that "By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and received the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works."

The declaration does not represent a compromise or change in Catholic or Lutheran doctrine but rather mutually agrees that the beginning gift of God is absolutely free and is not merited by any human effort.

The Ecumenical Committee of the New Ulm diocese and the Southwestern Lutheran Synod are coordinating the New Ulm signing.

News media are invited to attend the commemorative signing of this historic agreement. Please notify the Office of Communications if you will be sending a reporter/photographer to this event. To arrange an interview with Bishop Lucker, contact Paula Marti, Office of Communications, Diocese of New Ulm, (507) 359-2966.