From Conflict to Communion: Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue

April 26, 2017
Lutherans and Catholics in Rochester to dialogue, worship together in 500th Anniversary Year of the Reformation
Rochester, N.Y. – In hopes of contributing to a long-term relationship of cooperation, mutual respect and understanding, local Roman Catholics and Lutherans will engage in a series of dialogues over the next several months, culminating in an ecumenical service celebrated by the local bishops of both Christian denominations.
Noting the 500th Anniversary in this year 2017 of Martin Luther’s public posting of his “95 Theses,” resulting in the Protestant Reformation, we seek the opportunity to unite in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and hearts that, in the words of Jesus, “all may be one.” (John 17:21) After centuries of division, the Catholic Church’s Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s opened the way for efforts at reconciliation. On both an international level and on a
national level in the United States, Lutherans and Catholics have been involved in more than 50 years of dialogue aimed at finding common ground in such areas as interpretation of scripture, the sacraments and doctrine.