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- Officials from the Roman Catholic and
Lutheran churches say they have finally resolved a doctrinal debate which
contributed to the split in western Christianity in the 16th Century and
led to the Protestant Reformation.
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- The agreement, which follows 30 years
of consultations among theologians, was hailed by both sides as a major
step towards healing the rift.
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- The "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine
of Justification" is aimed at resolving a doctrinal debate at the
heart of the Protestant Reformation - whether Christians are saved by their
faith alone or also by their good works.
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- Rome said there was no salvation except
where good works are performed, while the Lutherans believed that salvation
depended ultimately only on God's grace.
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- Now both religions have agreed on a form
of words which encompasses their beliefs.
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- The declaration states that divine forgiveness
and salvation come "solely by God's grace" and that good works
flow from that.
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- "We do not claim agreement on all
issues related to the doctrine of justification," said the Reverend
Ismael Noko, who headed the Lutheran World Federation's delegation. "Nevertheless,
we have reached consensus on the principal points."
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- The churches have now achieved "a
decisive step forward in the process of reconciliation," said Rev
Noko.
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- The declaration and the new additions
will be formally signed on 31 October in Augsburg, Germany, the anniversary
of the day in 1517 widely regarded as the launching of the Protestant Reformation
- when Martin Luther is said to have posted his 95 Theses on the door of
the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
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- Cardinal Edward Cassidy, who led the
Vatican's negotiating team, says he will sign for the Roman Catholic Church.
The Lutherans have yet to decide who will sign for the federation.
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- Both sides lifted the reciprocal condemnations
that they issued in the 16th century.
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- Cardinal Cassidy said the document was
not a compromise, but was based on a spirit of reconciliation.
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- At the end of the longest pontificate
of the 20th century, Pope John Paul is urging reconciliation between the
various separated Christian churches.
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- Although the Vatican's dialogue with
the Anglican Church has come to a halt because of the latter's decision
to ordain women priests, parallel talks with the Lutherans seem to be proceeding
more smoothly.
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- However many other doctrinal differences
remain to be settled before there is a real prospect of healing the religious
rifts, which occurred first when Eastern and Western Christendom separated
at the beginning of the millennium, and again with the launch of the Protestant
reformation.
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