杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

On the 491st anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, the 杏MAP导航 met Friday with members of the Lutheran World Federation at an audience in the Vatican.

In his address to the representatives, 杏MAP导航 Francis took note of the anniversary, and thanked the delegation for coming to Rome 鈥渢o foster our unity.鈥�

The Augsburg Confession was an attempt to avoid a division in Western Christianity, and later became the primary Lutheran confessional document, describing what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess.

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that Catholics and Lutherans came together in 1980 to recognize our common faith expressed in the text, which focuses on 鈥渙ne body鈥� one baptism, one God鈥�.

One God

The 杏MAP导航 then reflected on these three elements. He began with our common faith in one Triune God, as expressed at the Council of Nicaea in 325.

鈥淭he Nicene Creed is a binding expression of faith,鈥� he said, 鈥渘ot only for Catholics and Lutherans, but also for our Orthodox brothers and sisters and for many other Christian communities. It is a treasure we hold in common.鈥�

The Holy Father encouraged everyone to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025 as a 鈥渘ew impulse to the ecumenical journey.鈥�

One baptism in Christ

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to consider the 鈥渙ne baptism for the forgiveness of sins鈥� which unites all Christians.

鈥淗oly baptism is the primordial divine gift at the basis of all our religious efforts and our commitment to the achievement of full unity,鈥� he said, adding that all progress toward overcoming divisions, healing memory, and reconciliation are grounded in the sacrament.

The 杏MAP导航 pointed out that ecumenism is a 鈥渏ourney of grace鈥�, more than an exercise of ecclesial diplomacy.

鈥淚t depends not on human negotiations and agreements,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut on the grace of God, which purifies memories and hearts, overcomes attitudes of inflexibility and directs towards renewed communion: not towards reductive agreements or forms of irenic syncretism, but towards a reconciled unity amid differences.鈥�

And he encouraged Lutherans and Catholics to persevere in dialogue to achieve greater unity among the members of the body of Christ.

One body

The 杏MAP导航 continued reflecting on the theme of Christ鈥檚 鈥渙ne body鈥�, which he said we have wounded with our divisions.

鈥淲hen we are pained by divisions between Christians,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e draw close to Jesus鈥� own experience of seeing His disciples still disunited, His tunic rent.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis added that we experience the Lord鈥檚 passion by not being able to share the same altar, even though we are filled with enthusiasm in seeking Christian unity.

Conflict to communion

He then urged everyone to continue 鈥渨ith passion on our journey from conflict to communion,鈥� as Catholics and Lutherans explore the 鈥渃lose bonds united Church, ministry, and the Eucharist.鈥�

鈥淚t will be important to examine with spiritual and theological humility the circumstances that led to the divisions, trusting that, although it is impossible to undo the sad events of the past, it is possible to reinterpret them as part of a reconciled history.鈥�

Accompanied by the Lord

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that Lutherans and Catholics are not alone as we tread the path from conflict to communion: 鈥淐hrist accompanies us.鈥�

And he invited everyone present to pray the Our Father 鈥渇or the restoration of full unity between Christians.鈥�