Three

denominations

celebrate

historic pact,

spirit of unity

CHICAGO – In joyful embraces, spirit-filled hymns and common prayer, Methodists, Catholics and Lutherans recently marked the end of centuries of division over a central doctrine of faith by vowing to move towards greater unity.

The celebration of a historic agreement on justification by faith, or how individuals are forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God, began with a colourful opening procession in which robed leaders of the three Christian traditions walked side by side.

The professions of unity continued through a rousing finale, as hundreds gathered in Old St. Patrick Church, Chicago’s oldest church building, for a thanksgiving service and sang together with fervour, “We are marching in the light of God”.

Bishop Gregory Palmer, President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops; Cardinal Francis George, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, headed their respective denominations at the historic event.

Participants broke out in spontaneous applause at the end. Bishop Palmer said in reflection: “For me, the heart of God, I trust, found some delight in us tonight.”

The agreement, made possible by nearly 35 years of dialogue, voided standing condemnations dating back to the 16th century.

Justification by faith was at the heart of the Reformation, with Lutherans emphasising justification as a divine gift given human beings through no merit of their own.

Catholics, and later Methodists, also emphasised the free will of human beings to accept or reject God’s gift, and the responsibility of believers to do works of piety and mercy. – United Methodist News Service.