Is a Joint Declaration on the Church and Ministry Possible Right Now?

Abstract

AbstractThis article formulates propositions that stem from the achievements of ecumenical dialogue to date between Lutheran churches and the Roman Catholic Church. These propositions form a basis for formulating a kind of a joint declaration on the church and ecclesial communities, analogous to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. The paper does not claim to deal with all the issues involved, but points to certain assumptions founded on the dialogue‐related documents and accompanying theological reflection. Such a declaration would formally confirm that the current state of ecumenical relations has achieved a level of understanding about the church and ministry such that the remaining differences did not hinder the mutual recognition of both confessional communities as “legitimate” churches carrying out the mission of the one church of Jesus Christ. The declaration would also be a sign of accepting the doctrinal pluralism that has been present in the church since its beginning. The article concludes by suggesting that true ecumenism demands “sacrifices” for the unity on the part of each church. It should consist of an abandonment of some elements of church life that are important for the confessional identity and draw the lines of contemporary divisions.