April 3, 2005

CHICAGO/GENEVA – "Lutherans will always remember John Paul II as the pope who fostered an unprecedented growth in Lutheran-Roman Catholic relations," Rev. Mark S. Hanson, President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said in a statement following the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2.

Hanson said the pope would go down in history for numerous reasons, but his commitment to the ecumenical movement would be remembered by many as the hallmark of his ministry.

Pope John II died at the age of 84 following failure of his heart and kidneys. He died in his Vatican residence, to which he had preferred to return after hospitalization since February this year.

Hanson noted that healing the wounds laid bare during the 16th century Reformation took on new meaning as the LWF and Roman Catholic Church signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) in 1999. The LWF President expressed hope that the "Spirit of the Living Christ will continue that work and bring about an even stronger relationship between the two church bodies." The JDDJ expresses agreement in basic truths pertaining to the biblical doctrine of justification, which was a central area of contention at the time of the Reformation.

Hanson lauded John Paul II for serving the church with great courage and wisdom, and championing the cause of justice and peace not only for his native Poland, but also on behalf of all creation. He noted the pope's concern for people of every creed and race, and his love for young people as a special example of his care for all.

"We give God thanks for the life and ministry of John Paul II, and pray that God will strengthen the people of the Roman Catholic Church with the promise of Christ's resurrection during this time of grief and remembrance. We also pray that God's Holy Spirit will guide the deliberations of the College of Cardinals as they begin the process of selecting a new pope," Hanson concluded.

Lutheran World Information