November 4, 2005

GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President, Bishop Mark S. Hanson and LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko will meet Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, November 7. The private audience is the first meeting of an LWF delegation with Pope Benedict XVI.

Hanson is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The LWF president and general secretary will be accompanied by LWF Executive Committee member, Rev. Dr Joachim Track (Germany); LWF Deputy General Secretary, Ms Karin Achtelstetter; Rev. Dr Theodor Dieter (Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg); Mr Frank Imhoff (ELCA Department for Communication); and LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs Rev. Sven Oppegaard.

The audience with the pope will be the highpoint in connection with the November 7-8 annual joint staff meeting between the LWF and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

"Relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the LWF have come to be open and trusting," Noko said with regard to the upcoming visit. "Pope Benedict XVI has emphasized that service to the unity of the whole Christian church will be a high priority during his pontificate. The LWF is looking forward to making substantial contributions to this ecumenical vision," he added.

Lutheran World Information