October 31, 2004

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa/GENEVA - "The doctrine of justification has divided us for almost 500 years, bringing great suffering to individuals and to many of the peoples of Europe. Through our missionary work we even exported our differences to other continents," Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), said in his keynote address at an ecumenical seminar, 30 October, that was part of celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In light of this disunity, both Kasper and Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and second keynote speaker at the event, stressed that the achievement of the JDDJ, signed by the LWF and Roman Catholic Church on 31 October 1999 in Augsburg, Germany, represented one of the boldest ecumenical developments in modern church history.

The JDDJ is so far the high point of a dialogue process that began in the mid-sixties soon after the Second Vatican Council. By signing the declaration, the two dialogue partners confirm that they have reached a consensus on the basic truths regarding justification, and that the condemnations of the 16th century Reformation do not apply to the teaching presented in the JDDJ.

Kasper and Noko had traveled from Rome and Geneva respectively to South Africa to share their joy of reaching this milestone in ecumenical co-operation and to reflect on the way forward. The LWF general secretary noted that the JDDJ had already led to a more relaxed attitude at different levels of Lutheran-Catholic relationships all over the world. The PCPCU president stressed that Lutherans and Catholics have finally reached "a shared understanding of justification," and a "wise compromise" that focuses on the essential issues of faith, salvation and grace. "We have reached an important staging post but are not yet at the final goal," he said.

Both keynote speakers stressed the need to translate the doctrine of justification into the language of today. "The doctrine of justification is not very well known, even among active church members," Noko remarked in his address, "but Gods divine gift to us of justice by grace has implications for our human practices of social justice."

One reason for this celebration to take place in South Africa was that the message of justification was central to overcoming the ideology of apartheid ten years ago, Noko said. "It sets us free to be who we are * free from the bondage of oppression by others, from self-righteousness, and from the temptation to give up in resignation." The message of justification also stated that "we need not prove ourselves in order to be acceptable to God or each other," the LWF general secretary noted. "In the name of Gods gift of justification by grace and faith alone I say: Never accept anyone telling you that you are not worthy, on the basis that you are a woman, a young person or an older person!" he emphasized.

Noko conceded that the JDDJ has not fully drawn the consequences of the agreements reached. "We must allow some time for the ripe fruits of this beautiful tree to be harvested," he said. "The most important thing is that we now really have a common expression of points of faith."

Kasper in his address named some points of what would still have to be developed further. First of all, one would have to review the questions that have been left open after the "Joint Declaration," such as the link of justification with baptism and the Eucharist, as well as with the issue of church ministry, the ministry of bishops in apostolic succession, and the Petrine ministry.

The PCPCU president furthermore shared his observation that the question of justification seemed to be no longer an existential problem for Christians today, in the way it was for Martin Luther 500 years ago. "We have thus to translate both the questions and answers of the past into the language and problematic of today, so that our language will touch and hit again our deepest experiences and discover anew the deep meaning of justification. Let us ask: What does it mean to believe to be saved and redeemed? What does this imply for our personal and our common life?" Both speakers expressed the hope that the JDDJ would be the foundation for further dialogue that would spiritually enrich Lutherans and Catholics alike.

The Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa and the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference hosted the ecumenical seminar. It was attended by archbishops and bishops, principals of theological seminaries, lecturers and students of theology, and pastors from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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